During the months of December, January and February, North Atlantic Right whales are often seen swimming near the shore, and are even visible by people standing on the shoreline. People reported seeing the large whales off the coast of Southern Georgia and Northern Florida.

Migrate

The North Atlantic Right whales migrate from cold waters around New England and Canada to birth their calves. The Gulf Stream current flows extremely close to the shoreline of numerous beaches near Florida especially in Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Daytona. The whale’s use the less dangerous waters near Florida as a place to initially raise their young until the calves become several months old, and a significantly larger size.

Endangered

North Atlantic Right whales are an endangered animal with the estimation of fewer than five hundred surviving in the wild. People hunted the whale to drastically low numbers because the large whale provides ample meat and oil. Protected by laws, entanglement with fishing lines, collisions with large sea vessels, and fatal cuts from propeller blades now threatened the whales. Groups of volunteers monitor the migrating whales from air, sea, and land and report pod locations to fishing vessels allowing the ships to alter their curse to avoid entanglements or collisions.

Warning

Never approach a whale while in a boat, especially a North Atlantic Right whale. If a North American Right whale is spotted, maneuver the vessel greater than 500 yards away from the whale.

Copyright © 2016 by John Mallozzi