Summary
Right whales are a majestic sight to behold off the eastern coast of North America, but they are endangered and their numbers are shrinking. Many conservationists say fishing gear that causes entanglements is a big part of the problem. But lobster harvesters fear they may be driven out of business by pressure to change their practices even further. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports. For a transcript of this story, click here. News wrap alternative : Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.Five Facts
- How many jobs does lobster fishing support?
- Why does NOAA require lobster traps to have weaknesses?
- What number of human-killed whales is acceptable to Janet Colt?
- Where has Steve Train been fishing?
- When were NOAA regulations finalized?
Focus Questions
How should the needs of the whales and the fishermen be balanced? Should they be balanced? Why or why not? News analysis : How important is it for news stories to give interview time to both sides of the story? Alternative : See, Think, Wonder : What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?For More
What students can do: Think about ways for the lobster fishermen to continue fishing without harming whales, possibly through inventions. STUDENT VIDEO OF THE DAY (August 9, 2017)This lesson was written by Benjamin Thernstrom, a high school senior in Arlington, Virginia, and PBS NewsHour Classroom intern, with editing by Luke Gerwe. Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning.
