Right Whale Update

[Catherine]

Quote:I also wonder whether all this trapping of whales in abandoned nets is accidental. Whales eat eat fish, thus the fishermen don't like them. I just ask the question (I have no proof): "Do some trawlermen leave nets in the sea, after use for fishing, on purpose?"

This is a question worth answering. If it isn't done deliberately, it certainly shows a lack of respect for the oceans. Too long the oceans have been a garbage can for things we want to get rid of. 
Could some of the discards be because we want to get rid of things that live in the ocean? Some of the ghost gear may be deliberate left behind. It is known that marine mammals have a lot of trouble with discarded ropes and nets.  I would like them to be able to identify the gear and return it to the person who discarded it, with appropriate fines. Maybe some community service would be in order. If you leave fishing gear behind you should have to spend a certain amount of time freeing trapped whales.

We need to be doing a lot more. The Right Whales are really a symbol of the emergency happening in all our oceans.