Endangered whale calf is struck by ocean vessel near Georgia coast

A North Atlantic right whale calf spotted off the coast of South Carolina has been seriously injured and is likely to die after being struck by an ocean-going vessel.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released details about the injury Wednesday.

The agency says the calf and the calf's mother were seen off Amelia Island, Florida in December, meaning they traveled off Georgia's coast.

It's unknown where the calf was struck.

There are only about 360 whales left in the highly endangered species.

This was the 71st dead or seriously injured North Atlantic right whale spotted since 2017.

Wednesday's news came a day after NOAA Fisheries announced a $10 million project to develop new technologies to protect the species.

“NOAA and its partners are working to stabilize the North Atlantic right whale population and prevent extinction of this species,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This partnership, made possible by funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, will allow us to develop and explore new technologies and tools to address the North Atlantic right whale crisis.”

According to the agency, North Atlantic right whales are approaching extinction with approximately 360 individuals remaining, including fewer than 70 reproductively active females. Primary threats to the species are entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes. Climate change is also affecting every aspect of their survival.

The Biden administration has proposed but not enacted new vessel speed limits rules to protect the whales from strikes.

Maritime interests have said such limits would threaten their business.