【明報專訊】Despite efforts of conservation in the past few decades, the number of wild North Atlantic right whales (北大西洋露脊鯨) has plunged abruptly. Their low reproduction rate has also contributed to the drop.

The whales were extensively hunted for its valuable blubbers (whale oil). To protect the sea beasts, hunting on the North Atlantic right whales has been prohibited since 1935. However, commercial fishing activities continue to endanger the whales. About 50 whales are entangled by fishing gears such as dragging ropes, buoys and traps in 2015. The trapped whales can seldom free themselves from the gears and become immobilised, so they cannot search for food and die of starvation.

Large fishing vessels also lead to the decline in the number of North Atlantic right whales as they do not swim fast enough to avoid getting hit. Experts suggest that actions be taken against certain fishing practices in order to save the North Atlantic right whales from extinction. Amy Knowlton from New England Aquarium says, "There needs to be a paradigm shift (轉變模式) in the fishing industry".

(Sources: Science, The Guardian, Ming Pao)

■Photo Story

A trapped whale was found on Canada's coast. Few whales can survive after getting rid of the entanglement.

■English highway﹕despite

The conjunction "despite" is used to express opposite ideas. It is followed by a noun phrase.

e.g. Despite the long working hours, Mike enjoys his job.

■Quiz

Answer the following questions.

(Answers on next text)

1. Is the following sentence true or false?

Hunting of North Atlantic right whales has been prohibited since 1935.

True/ False

2. What were the whales hunted for?

_____________________________

3. Find a word in paragraph 3 that means "large ships".

_____________________________

4. Which of the following threaten(s) the survival of North Atlantic right whales?

a. low reproduction rate

b. being trapped by fishing gears

c. ship strikes

d. all of the above

■Glossary

plunge (v) 急跌

entangle (v) 纏繞

buoy (n) 浮標

immobilise (v) 使……不能移動

[Smarties' Power English 第202期]