Right Whales Born 2009 Sets Record

Scientists have counted 39 right whale calves born this year off the southeast coast. That breaks the previous record of 31 set in 2001. According to a story in the New York Times, this is first time in centuries things are looking up for the right whale. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Georgia’s Wildlife Trust intensely monitor the mammals. They say the numbers show conservation efforts have a large impact. Recent changes in shipping practices seem to be preventing large vessel collisions with the whales, and fishing regulations are reducing the amount of whales caught in nets. The mammals have long been protected by the international community. The League of Nations made it illegal to hunt them in 1935 after they became extinct in European waters. Scientists guess roughly 300 to 400 remain.

Feds Seek Spear-Fishing Ban at Reef Sanctuary

A complete ban on spear fishing along protected waters off Georgia’s coast has been proposed by a national environmental agency. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wants to fully protect Gray’s Reef, a national marine sanctuary between St. Simons and Sapelo Islands.

Currently, certain types of spear gun-use are allowed at Gray’s Reef, but not equipment using gun ammunition, or powerheads.

However, authorities have had a tough time enforcing the partial ban already in-place, thus the call for a full ban.

Duane Harris chairs the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, and is a spear fisherman living on St. Simons. While he opposes spear fishing restrictions along South Atlantic waters in general, he has no problem with the proposed ban for this reef sanctuary off Georgia’s coast:

"It is fairly shallow...75 feet, so it is a good place to dive. But most of diving and taking of the snapper-grouper species is done in deeper waters off coast. It’s a small area…it’s not going to have a major impact on the spear fishing public."

Spear fishermen often target the large and mature fish most beneficial to the marine ecosystem. Some fish populations, like red snapper found in Gray's Reef, are overfished...or approaching that status.

A public comment hearing will be held Thursday night from 6-9pm at the Stevens Wetlands Center in Richmond Hill. A vote on the proposal won’t come until early May.