JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The death of an endangered North Atlantic right whale last month prompted federal officials to temporarily ban all gill net fishing off the Florida and Georgia coasts through the end of their calving season.
Experts estimate the North Atlantic right whale population at only about 300 animals.
Two have been found dead this year. Boaters reported the 18-foot right whale calf to the U.S. Coast Guard on Jan. 22, and experts found wounds from entanglement in gill net fishing gear. Another right whale calf was reported dead Jan. 10, likely from being hit by a ship.