North Atlantic Right Whale

Habitat, Dangers and Conservation Efforts


Description 

The North Atlantic right whale is among the largest whale species in the world that are at high risk of extinction. Since 1970, North Atlantic right whales have been classified as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. By the early 1890s, North Atlantic right whales were almost hunted to extinction by commercial whalers. They were called the "right" whales to hunt because they floated when they were killed. Currently, North Atlantic right whales are found mostly along the east coasts of the United States and Canada, where their primary source of food is a type of copepod called Calanus finmarchicus.


Distribution

Map 1: North Atlantic Right Whale Critical Habitat

Many North Atlantic right whales travel from their feeding grounds off the coast of the northeastern United States and Canada down to coastal waters of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida in winter, while a portion of the population remains in more northern waters in areas such as south of Nantucket and around Cape Cod.  

AA Fisheries has identified two regions as crucial habitats for North Atlantic right whales. These areas are essential for feeding, breeding, and nurturing: One is located in the waters off New England, which serves as a foraging ground for these mammals, while the other is situated along the southeastern coast of the United States, stretching from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to below Cape Canaveral, Florida, and is a vital calving area.

The warm, shallow waters off the southeast U.S. coast serve as winter nursery grounds for the whales. The North Atlantic right whales then migrate north again along the east coast to their feeding areas, many arriving in Cape Cod Bay in early spring and then moving into productive waters of the Gulf of Maine and in more recent years, the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In recent years, the waters around Nantucket Shoals have been an important area with whales present nearly year-round.


Dangers faced

North Atlantic Right Whale Death Mortalities

The North Atlantic right whale population has not yet recovered to its pre-whaling numbers, and human activities pose the most significant risk to their survival. The primary causes of death include becoming entangled in fishing equipment and collisions with ships. Underwater noise pollution from human sources is also a concern, as it may disrupt communication and increase stress levels. Since 2017, there has been a continuous event of unusual mortality affecting the species. Currently, there are around 360 North Atlantic right whales, with less than 70 breeding females.


Analysis for Conservation

1. Critical Habitat Range Within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Map 2: Intersection of North Atlantic Right Whale Habitat and NOAA Marine Protected Areas

The following map shows the areas of North Atlantic Whale Habitat which are within the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) determined by NOAA. These critical conservation areas that require active management and protection.


2. Intersection of Critical Habitat Range with US Shipping Zones

Map 3: Habitat zone intersection with Shipping zones

The following map illustrates where Critical habitat zones of North Atlantic Right whales intersect with US shipping zones. By identifying areas where critical habitat zones intersect with shipping zones, conservation efforts can be targeted to mitigate the risk of ship strikes and reduce the impact of maritime activities on whale populations.


Conservation efforts

Seasonal Management Areas

Map 4: 100 km Buffer Zones around Major Ports

To mitigate the risk of ship collisions, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) implemented the Vessel Speed Rule in 2008. This regulation limits the speed of vessels that are 65 feet or longer to 10 knots (approximately 11.5 mph) during specific periods and in designated areas where North Atlantic right whales are anticipated or have been recently observed. The 2008 rule established two different categories of protected zones.

The map shows 100-kilometer distance of US Ports from Seasonal Management Areas. Ports located closer to these areas may pose a higher risk of ship strikes and other disturbances to whale populations.


Road Map: North Atlantic Right Whale Documentations - Calving Area

The North Atlantic Right Whale Critical Habitat Zone Map shows that the Calving area of these whales extends off the southeast coast of the United States, from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to below Cape Canaveral, Florida. This is the area where the adult whales can be seen with their calves. The map below illustrates the locations where Right whale sightings have been documented in the past months.

1

North Carolina Coast

On February 16, 2024, researchers from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute observed North Atlantic Right Whale #3260, known as "Skittle," and her new calf approximately 28 miles east of Kure Beach, North Carolina, within the designated calving area. At least 23 years old, Skittle is recorded as having her second calf. Tragically, it is believed that her first calf, born in 2010, did not survive long after birth, as Skittle was later spotted alone in the calving grounds without her offspring. Back in 2007, Skittle was found with entanglement injuries involving gear through her mouth, but by 2008, she had successfully freed herself from the debris and was observed without any entanglement.

2

St. Catherine’s Island, Georgia

On December 7, 2023, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute documented the season's second sighting of a mother-calf right whale pair approximately 25 miles from St. Catherine’s Island, Georgia. The mother, known as right whale #3360 or "Horton," was first identified in 2003 and is believed to be at least 21 years old. The nickname "Horton" comes from a tiny scar on the right side of her head, reminiscent of the elephant Horton who carried a world as tiny as a speck.

3

Ossabaw Island, Georgia. 

A team from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute spotted North Atlantic right whale #2912 "Limulus" and her calf on January 11, 2024, about 8 miles to the east of Ossabaw Island, Georgia, during an aerial survey.

Limulus's mother is Juno, the first right whale mother spotted this season, which is very exciting. Limulus was one of the earliest whales seen this calving season off the coast of northern North Carolina on November 15, 2023. This whale is named after its head shape and callosity pattern, which look like a horseshoe crab (genus Limulus).InsertRetrySound more on-brand

Limulus is 25 years old and this is her third documented calf.

4

Jekyll Island, Georgia

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission saw right whale #3130 “Marilyn Monroe” and calf on January 17, 2024 about 26 miles off Jekyll Island, Georgia. Marilyn Monroe's name originates from a scar on the front of her head that resembles the film star’s iconic beauty mark. She is 23 years old and this is her fourth known calf. Her first calf #3810, a male, was born in 2008; her second calf #4191, a female, was born in 2011. Both were seen in 2022. Although #4191 is old enough to calve, she has not yet been seen with a calf or sighted in the calving grounds since she herself was a calf. Marilyn Monroe last gave birth in 2021. While that calf is not yet cataloged, it has been seen recently and will hopefully be cataloged soon. 

5

St. Marys River Entrance

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission observed right whale #3780 and her newborn calf approximately 29 miles east of the entrance to the St. Marys River, near the border between Florida and Georgia. Right whale #3780 was initially spotted in 2007 as an adult, making her age uncertain but at least 17 years old. This sighting marked the first time her calf has been observed, which was less than 3 days old at the time of sighting.

6

 Nassau Sound, Florida

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute observed a North Atlantic right whale, identified as #3320 or "Braces," and her newborn calf approximately 15 miles east of Nassau Sound, Florida. At a minimum age of 26, this marks the birth of Braces' third known calf. Her initial calf, a male designated as #3970 born in 2009, was most recently sighted in 2022. Both Braces and her first calf have been recorded with several injuries from entanglements.

7

Nassau Sound, Florida

On January 24, 2024, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission observed a first-time right whale mother, known as #3820, and her newborn calf approximately 22 miles from Nassau Sound, Florida. At 16 years of age, this marks the first time #3820 has been seen with a calf.

8

Cumberland island, Georgia

Right whale #1301, also known as “Half Note,” and her calf were seen on January 11, 2024 approximately 6 miles off Cumberland Island, Georgia. Half Note is 41 years old and this is her eighth documented calf. She calved in 1989, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2022. 

Her  most recent calf  was born just 2 years ago during the 2022 season. That calf’s condition deteriorated on the calving grounds and it is presumed dead. Unfortunately, several days after she was first seen with her 2024 calf, both aerial and vessel surveys spotted Half Note without her calf. Half Note has now lost seven of her eight known calves, most of which have likely not survived beyond the calving grounds. 

9

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

On January 30, 2024, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission observed a first-time mother right whale, identified as #3725, and her calf approximately 16 miles from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. At 17 years old, this is her first recorded calf. She is the offspring of #1425, known as "Butterfly," who is also a mother in 2024.

10

Cape Carneval

North Atlantic Right Whale Calving area. A member of the public reported seeing a right whale mother with a calf off Cape Canaveral, Florida on February 16, 2024. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were able to identify the whale as right whale #3590 “Dog-Ear” based on the description of a distinctive prior injury. She experienced at least three vessel strikes by the age of 4 years old. One of these injuries caused the tip of her fluke, or tail, to be folded over, like a dog-eared page in a book. Dog-Ear is 19 years old, and this is her first known calf. 

Source: On February 16, 2024, an observer reported spotting a North Atlantic Right Whale mother and her calf near Cape Canaveral, Florida. Biologists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission identified the mother whale as #3590, nicknamed "Dog-Ear," thanks to a unique injury that resembled a dog-eared book page – the result of her tail's tip being bent from past vessel strikes. Despite suffering at least three such incidents by the age of four, Dog-Ear, now 19, has been seen with her first known calf, marking a significant moment for her and conservationists monitoring these endangered creatures.

References

North Atlantic Right Whale - Marine Mammal Commission. (2024, February 20). Marine Mammal Commission. https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/north-atlantic-right-whale/#:~:text=Many%20North%20Atlantic%20right%20whales,of%20Nantucket%20and%20around%20Cape

NOAA. (2022, February 3). North Atlantic right whale. NOAA. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/north-atlantic-right-whale

NOAA. (n.d.). North Atlantic Right Whale Seasonal Management Areas (SMA). NOAA. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/map/north-atlantic-right-whale-seasonal-management-areas-sma

North Atlantic Right Whale Death Mortalities