National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists say a tiny group of whales in the Gulf of Mexico is endangered, with threats including oil and gas exploration, along with oil spills and cleanup. The marine mammal is also susceptible to collisions with boats and ocean noise from human activity.
Bryde’s (pronounced “broodus”) whales are the only filter-feeding whales living year-round in the Gulf. It’s estimated there are fewer than 100 of the whales and may even be a different species as they are so different genetically from other Bryde’s whales which are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This year, NOAA listed the Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whale as endangered under the Endangered Species Act which is a positive step.
