Overview

• At least seven endangered whales, including five North Atlantic right whales and two fin whales, have been found dead or seriously injured since mid-December.
• Federal officials have identified fishing gear from Maine as the cause of death for a right whale, challenging long-standing assertions by the state's lobster industry.
• The identification of the gear marks the first time Maine lobster gear has been connected to a right whale fatality, raising concerns over the industry's impact on endangered species.
• Environmental groups and federal officials emphasize the need for immediate action to mitigate risks and protect endangered whale populations.
• The population of North Atlantic right whales has plummeted 35% over the last 13 years, with fewer than 360 individuals remaining.