(NPR) Endangered Right Whales Are Shrinking. Scientists Blame Commercial Fishing Gear

Endangered Right Whales Are Shrinking. Scientists Blame Commercial Fishing Gear

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Scientists from NOAA Fisheries Service approach a young North Atlantic right whale in order to disentangle it. New research shows whales with severe entanglements in rope and fishing gear are experiencing stunted growth, and body lengths have been decreasing since 1981.



NOAA News Archive 011811


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NOAA News Archive 011811

Science

Endangered Right Whales Are Shrinking. Scientists Blame Commercial Fishing Gear

A new study concludes that endangered right whales born today will end up smaller than adult whales in the past. Researchers say stress from getting caught in fishing gear stunts the mammals' growth