The most concerning and grimmest Puget Sound environmental news of the past week has got to be the maiming, followed by death, of a sei (or Bryde's) whale in the south Sound.
Not only were the injuries severe, the 34 foot long animal suffered a lingering death.
While mainstream media coverage began Dec. 1, Cascadia reports the earliest sighting may have been as far back as Nov. 13. That would mean 3 weeks leading up to the Dec. 4 death.
While mainstream media coverage began Dec. 1, Cascadia reports the earliest sighting may have been as far back as Nov. 13. That would mean 3 weeks leading up to the Dec. 4 death.
Photos from Cascadia Research
There were at least five significant injuries, according to the necropsy, apparently from one or more vessel strikes.
Accidents happen. But really -- five strikes? One vessel five times, five vessels one time -- how do you hit a 34 foot long creature and just keep going? How do you live with yourself, boater(s) in question, leaving an intelligent mammal to die a slow death?
The priority ought to be reporting the injured animal so that veterinary help can respond as quickly as possible. Save this number: (800)853-1964, the NOAA Fisheries Hotline.
What's the law on collisions with marine mammals? The federal law is pretty expansive -- it's illegal to 'take' marine mammals, the definition of 'take' including just about any form of contact or near-contact imaginable.
Less clear is what boaters are supposed to do if they hit a marine mammal. Washington state law appears only to require reporting of accidents involving people and property.
If you see a hit & run between a boat and a marine mammal, I'd just radio the Coast Guard. There's also an outfit within NOAA called the Office Of Law Enforcement.
Come on, Puget Sound marine repair shops: drop dime on any boats that came in recently with bloody dented hulls or gore encrusted props.
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