Right Whale
Oceans and large rivers all over the world serve as transport routes for thousands of boats and large cargo ships. The ships are often going very fast and can accidentally ram into whales. Whales hit by ships can be seriously injured, losing parts of their tails to propeller blades, or even killed.
Collisions with ships is one of the most serious threats to the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Many right whales have huge scars on their backs and tails from ship propellers.
Cargo Ship
Boat traffic can also disturb whales’ normal behaviour, scaring them away from important feeding and breeding areas. The growing whale-watching industry has increased the amount of boat traffic around whales. Although whale watching does provide many benefits (it makes money that is used to help with whale research and programs, and helps teach people about whales), and most whale-watching companies are very careful not to bother whales, the industry needs to be closely regulated to make sure whales are not harassed.
