Joe Howlett lost his life saving one of the last North Atlantic right whales. But can any sacrifice bring back a species pushed so far to the brink?
The dawn over the Gulf of St. Lawrence was silent, save for the rhythmic slap of water against the hull. For Joe Howlett, this was more than a job. It was a stewardship of the giants that once ruled these northern waters.
The North Atlantic right whale remains one of the most endangered mammals on Earth. Entanglement in fishing gear continues to be the primary cause of fatalities, a crisis that Joe fought until his final moments.