Latest news with #Bryde'swhale
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
US delays rule on Gulf of Mexico whale protections by two years
A recently published environmental assessment found that vessel strikes in the Gulf of Mexico are likely to hurt the existence of the Rice's whale. WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump's administration will delay by two years a final rule designating protections for the endangered Rice's whale in the oil and gas drilling region of the Gulf of Mexico, according to an agreement with environmental groups filed in a federal court. The US Commerce Department's National Marine Fisheries Service agreed with green group Natural Resources Defence Council to finalise by July 15, 2027 the geographic area deemed critical for the Rice's whale survival. The previous deadline had been July 15, 2025. The agreement filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia on July 3 was seen by Reuters on July 15. 'NMFS continues to make diligent progress on this complex Final Rule,' the agreement said. 'NMFS, however, requires additional time to analyse the impact of the Rule and evaluate the science underlying it. As part of that process, NMFS plans to coordinate its efforts with the scientific and academic communities.' The delay is the latest turn in a legal battle among conservationists, the oil and gas industry and the federal government over protecting a whale that was only recognised as a unique species in 2021. The Rice's whale was previously considered a Gulf of Mexico subspecies of the Bryde's whale. Probably fewer than 100 Rice's whales remain in the Gulf of Mexico, according to NMFS. The mammals, which measure up to 41 feet (12.5m) and weigh up to 60,000 lbs (27,200kg), have primarily been seen in the Eastern Gulf, off the coast of Florida, but have also been spotted in western areas off the Louisiana and Texas coasts. The central and western Gulf is where most US offshore oil and gas production occurs. NMFS officials were not immediately available for additional comment. NRDC, representing the environmental group Healthy Gulf in a 2020 lawsuit over designation of the so-called critical habitat, was also not immediately available for comment. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business 'Some cannot source outside China': S'pore firms' challenges and support needed amid US tariffs Multimedia From local to global: What made top news in Singapore over the last 180 years? World Trump arms Ukraine and threatens sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil Singapore Turning tragedy into advocacy: Woman finds new purpose after paralysis Opinion Sumiko at 61: Everything goes south when you age, changing your face from a triangle to a rectangle Sport World Aquatics C'ship women's 10km open water swimming event delayed by a day due to water quality Singapore HSA intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun Singapore Ex-cop charged after he allegedly went on MHA portal, unlawfully shared info with man Oil and gas companies in the region welcomed the delay. Drillers had faced restrictions on how they could operate in key parts of the northern Gulf under a proposal published by former US President Joe Biden's administration in 2023. That proposal had expanded the whale's critical habitat to the central and western Gulf, potentially putting productive areas off-limits to oil and gas exploration and development. Green groups and government scientists have said that oil and gas operations threaten the Rice's whale's continued existence. 'We strongly support the decision to extend the timeline for finalising the Rice's whale critical habitat. Given how much work is needed to get this rule right, extending the deadline is both responsible and necessary,' Mr Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, an oil and gas trade group, said in a statement. REUTERS
Observer
22-04-2025
- Science
- Observer
Bryde's whale spotted in Musandam
The Environment Authority (EA) has spotted a Bryde's whale in Musandam Governorate since the launch of the Marine Mammal Species Survey Project, which began in 2023 and continued over five different phases. Aida bint Khalaf al Jabri, project leader, said that this monitoring is an important step in understanding the spread of rare or previously undocumented marine species in Musandam Governorate, underscoring the importance of continuing environmental surveys to protect biodiversity in the Sultanate of Oman. She added that the project represents a pioneering initiative that links fieldwork and scientific research, and contributes to building a national database that enhances the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to protect marine organisms and sustain them for future generations. Bryde's whales are a medium-sized species of whale, characterized by a long, streamlined body, a blue-gray color, and three prominent protrusions on top of their heads that distinguish them from other whales. This whale is known for its stealthy behavior and rapid movements, as it prefers warm waters and feeds on small fish and plankton using the "surge and swallow" method. It is often seen alone or in small groups. Bryde's whale or the Bryde's whale complex, putatively comprises three species of rorqual and maybe four. The complex means the number and classification remain unclear because of a lack of definitive information and research. The common Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei, Olsen, 1913) is a larger form that occurs worldwide in warm temperate and tropical waters.
Times of Oman
22-04-2025
- Science
- Times of Oman
Bryde's Whale spotted in Musandam for first time
Muscat: The Environment Authority has spotted a Bryde's whale in Musandam Governorate for the first time since the launch of the Marine Mammal Species Project. Aida bint Khalaf Al Jabri, Project Leader, said that this monitoring is an important step in understanding the prevalence of rare or previously undocumented marine species in Musandam Governorate, underscoring the importance of continuing environmental surveys to protect biodiversity in the Sultanate of Oman. Al Jabri added that the project represents a pioneering initiative that links fieldwork with scientific research and contributes to building a national database that enhances the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to protect marine species and sustain them for future generations. The Bryde's whale is a medium-sized whale species, characterised by a long, streamlined body and a blue-gray colour, with three prominent protrusions on the top of its head that distinguish it from other whales. Known for its stealthy behavior and rapid movements, this whale prefers warm waters and feeds on small fish and plankton using a "surge and swallow" method. It is often seen alone or in small groups. It's worth noting that monitoring Bryde's whales is a sensitive biological indicator of the balance and health of the marine ecosystem, which is directly affected by environmental changes and marine pollution.
