Readers respond: Protect whales with better laws – OregonLive.com

The deceased adult sperm whale that washed ashore near Seaside last month is yet another contribution to the all-too-common pattern emerging this year up and down the Pacific coast, (“What killed a sperm whale that washed ashore on the Oregon coast – and why is it still there?” June 1). Now that the necropsy attributed the cause of death to a vessel strike, we can stop this preventable problem from impacting more whales in the future.
Sperm whales are some of the largest whales that travel in Oregon’s waters. such as the 53-footer that just passed away. They can dive up to 10,000 feet deep. It’s unacceptable that human interactions negatively impact these awe-inspiring creatures.
A new interactive map from Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center shows that endangered sperm whales are threatened by vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements more than any other cause. The most recent NOAA stock assessment observed no vessel strike deaths from 2017-2021 but acknowledges that is likely an underestimate.
According to the assessment, there’s a low probability for a sperm whale to wash ashore after a vessel strike. What happened last month was a remarkable occurrence that we should recognize as an opportunity. Oregonians must recognize that our ocean contains incredible species that we so often put at risk – and that we must do more to protect them.
For the sake of all whales in Oregon’s waters, we should swiftly incorporate stronger policies – such as vessel speed rules and new gear requirements – to reduce vessel strikes and fishing entanglements.
Ian Giancarlo, Portland
Giancarlo is oceans advocate for Environment Oregon.
To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
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