POL ITI CAL PERSPEC TIVE
Rice's Whales in the Gulf of Mexico and Proposed Vessel Speed Limit by: Aimee Bright, Vice President of Governmental/Military Affairs, Bay County Chamber of Commerce
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he Gulf of Mexico is home to a diverse array of marine life, and among its inhabitants, Rice's whales (Balaenoptera ricei) stand out as one of the most enigmatic and least understood species. Earlier this year, non-government organizations brought forth a petition to the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) to implement vessel speed limit restrictions. This proposed vessel speed limit rule raised concerns about negative effects it would have on our communities, port operations, and overall economy. Rice's Whales: An Enigmatic Subspecies Rice's whales, named after the American marine biologist Dale W. Rice, are a relatively recent addition to the world of marine mammal research. Despite their unique status as the only resident baleen whale in the Gulf of Mexico, little is known about their biology and behavior. Initially identified as a subpopulation of Bryde’s whales, they were determined to be a distinct subspecies in 2021. Their estimated population is believed to be fewer than 100, and they are usually seen alone
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BAY BIZ / WINTER 2024
or in pairs, but may form larger, loose groups associated with feeding. Limited data suggest Rice's whales spend the daytime diving near the seafloor bottom and spend much of their time at night within 50 feet of the water’s surface, similar to some Bryde’s whales. There is little information on the Rice’s whales diet, lifespan, and reproduction rates. Much of what is known is based on information from closely-related Bryde’s whales. They are uniformly dark gray on top with a pale belly. The head of a Rice's whale makes up about one quarter of its entire body length. The whale has a broad fluke, or tail, and a pointed and strongly hooked dorsal fin located about two-thirds of the way back on its body. Like other baleen whales, Rice’s whales engulf large amounts of water and strain it through baleen plates that hang inside their mouths to catch their prey. Rice's whales are likely able to reproduce every two to three years, have a gestational period of 10- 12 months, and mate year-round. According to the NOAA Fisheries website, their lifespan is unknown.
