Right Whale Seen Entangled off Block Island

NOAA – On April 9, 2024, a NOAA aerial survey reported an entangled North Atlantic right whale swimming approximately 50 miles south of Block Island, Rhode Island. The whale has been identified as adult male #4143. He was first seen as a calf in 2011 and most recently seen gear-free in Cape Cod Bay in March 2024. 

Right whale #4143 has rope coming out of both sides of its mouth. The rope also trails beyond the flukes, but the rope does not wrap around the whole body. Fortunately, the whale’s overall condition is good, and he was observed feeding during the aerial sighting. Given the long distance from shore, experts were unable to safely travel to the last known location of the whale during daylight to attempt a rescue. NOAA Fisheries and our partners will monitor this whale and attempt to respond to the entanglement, if possible, as weather and safety conditions allow. 

After reviewing this new entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that it meets the Unusual Mortality Event criteria as a “morbidity” (sublethal injury) case. Right whale #4143 is the 126th right whale and 52nd morbidity case in the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event. 

Boaters are encouraged to call in sightings of this, and other entangled or injured whales to the Greater Atlantic Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at (866) 755-6622 and the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at (877) WHALE-HELP ((877) 942-5343), or to hail the US Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16.

About the Author

Wayne Creed

Administrator

View All Posts