Right whales at the Race the other day - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

JohnnyD · 03-30-2009, 10:08 PM

that's exactly what we were seeing. quite the site so close.

Funny thing is that when out tuna fishing, half a dozen whales are all around the boat and most don't pay a second though to them.

maddmatt · 03-31-2009, 12:56 PM

right whales are endangered

how long before they ban fishing line cause it might entangle them?

or seals for that matter

they're still protected by the mmpa

Gunpowder · 03-31-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddmatt

right whales are endangered

how long before they ban fishing line cause it might entangle them?

or seals for that matter

they're still protected by the mmpa

and its not fishing line thats doing the damage to the population ---> its their knack for always finding the front of tankers and just smashing into them... right whale more than any other whale species out there known for this... they just dont seem to want to move

DZ · 03-31-2009, 02:15 PM

Related Article:

Scientist Discover Seals are Cause of Right Whale Decline
By John Falsehood (Herald News)

Scientists have recently discovered that seals have contributed to the demise of Right Whales. Last November area marine biologists witnessed colonies of seals attacking individual Right Whales as they migrated into Cape Cod Bay waters. The attacks were so severe that many Right Whales were killed. The disappearance of Right Whales has long been blamed on entanglements with commercial fishing gear and collisions with merchant ships in shipping lanes. But now Marine Biologists are saying that seals may in fact be responsible for declining numbers of Right Whales. When asked why seals would attack the whales noted Marine Biologist, Mr. Indablu Vater, said, “Seals are very territorial and do not like any other mammal to eat their food supply or live in the same sand beach areas the Cape is known for.” “They’ve already driven away the striped bass and bluefish and now they’re trying to drive away the Right Whales”, Vater continued.

But this development leaves area scientists with a conundrum as to which species to now protect. If seals, which are protected, are now killing Right Whales which are also protected, who should man help protect?
Vater, says that Piping Plovers may just be the answer. “Plover numbers are now exploding and it has long been known that seals are deathly afraid of the tiny birds, kind of like elephants being afraid of mice,” Vater mused.

But what should authorities do about the plovers if they start harassing the protected seals? Vater looked into the eye of this reporter and answered, “That’s where the Coyotes come into play.” “Mass Wildlife has a wonderful Coyote stocking program that has been able to control the plover population for years, they’ll just have to bring more out to the Cape.”

Gunpowder · 03-31-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ

Related Article:

But what should authorities do about the plovers if they start harassing the protected seals? Vater looked into the eye of this reporter and answered, “That’s where the Coyotes come into play.” “Mass Wildlife has a wonderful Coyote stocking program that has been able to control the plover population for years, they’ll just have to bring more out to the Cape.”

when i first read this, i though for sure "coyotes" was a metaphor for fisherman being given the right to go have a free for all with the seals

got a little excited there. sounds like a very interesting case study in the development.

buckman · 03-31-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ

Related Article:

Scientist Discover Seals are Cause of Right Whale Decline
By John Falsehood (Herald News)

Scientists have recently discovered that seals have contributed to the demise of Right Whales. Last November area marine biologists witnessed colonies of seals attacking individual Right Whales as they migrated into Cape Cod Bay waters. The attacks were so severe that many Right Whales were killed. The disappearance of Right Whales has long been blamed on entanglements with commercial fishing gear and collisions with merchant ships in shipping lanes. But now Marine Biologists are saying that seals may in fact be responsible for declining numbers of Right Whales. When asked why seals would attack the whales noted Marine Biologist, Mr. Indablu Vater, said, “Seals are very territorial and do not like any other mammal to eat their food supply or live in the same sand beach areas the Cape is known for.” “They’ve already driven away the striped bass and bluefish and now they’re trying to drive away the Right Whales”, Vater continued.

But this development leaves area scientists with a conundrum as to which species to now protect. If seals, which are protected, are now killing Right Whales which are also protected, who should man help protect?
Vater, says that Piping Plovers may just be the answer. “Plover numbers are now exploding and it has long been known that seals are deathly afraid of the tiny birds, kind of like elephants being afraid of mice,” Vater mused.

But what should authorities do about the plovers if they start harassing the protected seals? Vater looked into the eye of this reporter and answered, “That’s where the Coyotes come into play.” “Mass Wildlife has a wonderful Coyote stocking program that has been able to control the plover population for years, they’ll just have to bring more out to the Cape.”

well done

denport · 04-02-2009, 05:24 AM

[QUOTE=DZ;678191]Related Article:

Scientist Discover Seals are Cause of Right Whale Decline
By John Falsehood (Herald News)

John Falsehood? Very nice.