Two endangered North Atlantic right whales were spotted off the coast of\u00a0Maryland\u00a0this month, marking a rare sighting in one of the busiest shipping corridors in the\u00a0U.S.<\/p>\n
The sighting has raised concerns among officials because the whales were spotted in a busy shipping corridor, increasing the risk of a potentially deadly vessel strike.<\/p>\n
The critically endangered whales are also not typically found this far south during this time of year.<\/p>\n
There are fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales remaining, making every sighting significant.<\/p>\n
According to\u00a0the\u00a0National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u00a0(NOAA), North Atlantic right whales are especially vulnerable to vessel collisions because they spend much of their time near the\u00a0ocean\u2019s\u00a0surface.<\/p>\n
NOAA Fisheries\u00a0said vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglement are the leading threats to the species, with about 86% of right whales becoming entangled at least once in their lifetime.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0whales\u00a0can also be difficult for boaters to spot because of their dark-colored skin and lack of a dorsal fin. Poor weather conditions, rough seas, murky water, and low visibility contribute to this.<\/p>\n
Two endangered North Atlantic right whales were spotted off the coast of\u00a0Maryland\u00a0this month, marking a rare sighting in one of the busiest shipping corridors in the\u00a0U.S. Boston Globe via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Because of these risks, officials said seeing right whales in a busy shipping corridor is a major concern.<\/p>\n
According to the\u00a0New England Aquarium<\/a>, the North Atlantic right whale is one of the rarest whale species in the\u00a0world. Commercial whaling nearly drove the species to extinction in the late 1800s.<\/p>\n