A young North Atlantic right whale was found dead along the Georgia Coast with 20 propeller lacerations on its body. There are only about 400 of this endangered whale in the world and last year alone, four of the six right whales found dead were killed by ships and one was found tangled in a fishing net.

Marine organizations have recognized a need to place rules, such as limiting ship speeds, and re-routing ships around recognized whale feeding grounds, but these proposed rules have been stuck in paperwork. The Pacific right whale, which is also at risk because of human-related influence, has already granted protection rules.
Source: MSNBC, North Atlantic right wale killed by ship, by Lisa Leff, January 5.

Photo Credit: Monica Zani / New England Aquarium