NOAA: No Right Whale Calves Spotted in Latest Survey

JEKYLL ISLAND, Georgia – Federal researchers continue to monitor the status of the North Atlantic Right Whale population and say they have not spotted any calves so far this season.

A NOAA Fisheries aerial survey team searching the waters off the coast of Georgia have spotted 12 right whales, but zero calves.

Officials have been monitoring the whales since the mid-to-late-80’s and have not encountered a calving season where zero calves were spotted.

There is grave concern about the status of the endangered species after 17 of the animals were found dead in 2017. The worldwide population is believed to be under 450, making right whales the most endangered marine mammal in the world.

A large portion of the entire global right whale population comes to Cape Cod Bay every winter to feed.

NOAA Fisheries is reminding boaters to stay at least 500 yards away if a right whale is encountered.

Canadian Fisheries officials recently announced a handful of new rules for snow crab fishermen to protect right whales from entanglement.

The regulations include reducing the amount of rope allowed to float on the surface.

Many of last year’s fatalities occurred in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

About CapeCod.com NewsCenter

The award-winning CapeCod.com NewsCenter provides the Cape Cod community with a constant, credible source for local news. We are on the job seven days a week.



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy