General Discussion

1monster

(11,012 posts) Fri Mar 22, 2013, 01:01 PM Mar 2013

20 right whale calves born off our coast this winter

20 right whale calves born off our coast this winter

Local research teams from the Marineland Right Whale Project, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Marine Resources Council report 20 calves born this season, better than the seven of last season but less than the number of calves that might be expected from a growing population, currently estimated at 509.

According to the Marineland Right Whale Project, the warmer-than-average ocean temperatures coincided with lower numbers of right whales seen south of the St. Augustine Inlet. There were 10 right whale sightings between St. Augustine and Ponce Inlet. Eight were mother and calf pairs and two were adults or juveniles. There were only a handful of the juveniles and almost none of the large social groups that have been seen in past years. (snip)

“Human impacts in the form of vessel strikes and gear entanglement are hindering the right whale’s recovery,” Hampp said.

Examples of both were reported this season. A dead 2-year-old male whale washed ashore Dec. 19 in Flagler County with its tail wrapped in rope attached to a buoy. In early February, Whale No. 1612 made appearances from Marineland to Ormond Beach with her calf that bore propeller scars across its back.

Photo by S. McKenney, authorized by NOAA Fisheries-The photo of calf of Whale #1612 was taken February 5 and shows prop and skeg scars from being struck by a vessel between January 21 and 29.

http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2013-03-21/20-right-whale-claves-born-our-coast-winter