A new study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirms that the Bryde's whales in the Gulf of Mexico are a separate species already on the border of extinction.
Bryde's Whales
Bryde's Whales (Balaenoptera edeni), named after Johan Bryde who built the first whaling stations in South Africa, is part of the Baleen whale family. These inland or offshore whales can weigh more than 40,000kg and grow from 4m (calf) to roughly 16.5m (adult female).
The rarely studied engendered species ranges across the Indian oceans, Pacific, and Atlantic. But their Gulf of Mexico hers are homebodies that prefer staying in deep waters between Florida and Louisiana.
The Gulf's Bryde's whales behave differently from other herds. Instead of snagging their meal near the surface, they appear to dine in deep water.
This led researchers to take a closer look at these particular whales.
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New Bryde's Whales Species Already on the Brink of Extinction
A new study published in the journal Marine Mammal Science led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirms what scientists have long suspected--that Bryde's whales in the Gulf of Mexico aren't actually Bryde's whales.
Despite recent discoveries, these newfound Gulf whales are already in danger of extinction.
According to recent NOAA estimates, roughly 33 whales are alive today ,preferring the deep and dark waters of DeSoto Canyon, one of the Gulf's most commercialized areas where oil drilling and cargo ships are a constant threat.
Michael Jasny, a marine mammal protection expert with the Natural Resources Defence Council, says, "What this means is you have one of the rarest, most endangered whales in your backyard. Its a gift and a great responsibility."
The new whale species found will be known as "Rice's whale," (Balaenoptera ricei) in respect to Dale Rice, the biologist that first recognized that a version of Bryde's whales were in the Gulf of Mexico roughly 60 years ago.
Researchers used genetic samples, sighting and beach resorts, and skeletal remains to determine Rice's whale evolutionary divergent lineage. The breakthrough came from a dead whale washed on the shores of Florida beach back in 2019.
Patricia Rosel, a NOAA geneticists and leader of the study, says, "They're so rare that it was our first opportunity to see a complete and intact specimen". She adds that despite the whales' dwindling population, they are thankful that they could study and confirm the whale's difference with the Bryde's whale.
NOAA listed numerous threats to the Gulf whales such as oil and gas exploration, vessel strikes, oil spills and spill responses, ocean trash, and entanglement in fishing gear.
Even when classified as Bryde's whales, these whales were already under the protection of NOAA with special mentions of the Gulf population. According to NOAA officials, today Rice's whales retain their protected status under the ESA and will receive protection from the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Scientists are hopeful that the discovery will help move forward with conservation efforts of the newly discovered whales already on the brink of extinction.
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