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Blog & News

CMARI Sights First North Atlantic Right Whale Mom and Calf Pair

Press Releases Announcements Updated December 4, 2024 Posted December 3, 2024

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute’s Aerial Team Spots “Nauset” With Calf Off Georgia, in 2024-2025 Calving Season 

Photo Credit: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #26919. Photo credit required for use. Funding source: Georgia DNR and NOAA Fisheries  

CLEARWATER, FL (Dec. 3, 2024)  –  Researchers with Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) have sighted the first identified North Atlantic right whale mom and calf on Dec. 1. Right whale Catalog #2413 ‘Nauset’ and calf, were sighted just over 5 miles off Sapelo Island, GA. Catalog #2413 is 31 years old and this is her fifth documented calf.  

This sighting adds to an earlier sighting of a mom/calf pair spotted by a boater off Cape Romain, S.C., alongside its mother in November. Currently, no identification of that pair has been made. This sighting was reported to the NOAA hotline and serves as a good reminder to report all right whale sightings to 877-WHALE-HELP ((877) 942-5343) or to the U.S. Coast Guard on channel 16.  

According to the North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog, curated by the New England Aquarium: 

  • Nauset (#2413) was born in 1994 to mother #1013. 
  • Named for the Cape Cod lighthouse because the front section of her callosity pattern resembles a lighthouse. 
  • Four previous calves: Canaveral (female; #3513), Monomoy (female; #4313), #5113 (male), and a calf in 2011 that was never cataloged. 
  • She last calved during the 2020-2021 calving season, which means she had a four-year calving interval.  
  • Two siblings: Periscope (#2713) and Dog-Ear (#3590). 
  • She also has a niece/nephew from Dog-Ear and a grandchild from Canaveral. 

While this year’s sighting of #2413 is highly anticipated and celebrated, researchers from around the world caution that despite a recent increase in their numbers, factors such as slow reproduction rate, entanglement in fishing gear, and collisions with vessels continue to pose significant challenges. 

Last year, during the 2023-2024 Right Whale calving season, researchers with CMARI sighted the first North Atlantic right whale mom and calf pair Nov. 28, 2023, off the coast of South Carolina: mother, Juno (Catalog #1612), estimated to be over 38 years old, who gave birth to her 8th documented calf. Unfortunately, that calf was later seen with vessel strike marks in January and then found deceased off the coast of Georgia on March 3, 2024. 

“The devastating story of Juno and her calf in last year’s season shows us how fragile the lives of right whales can be, and emphasizes the extreme importance for all vessel operators to be vigilant in looking out for this endangered species,” said Melanie White, research biologist and North Atlantic right whale conservation project manager at CMARI.  

Currently it is estimated there are approximately 370 North Atlantic right whales remaining, scientifically known as Eubalaena glacialis, including fewer than 70 reproductively active females, further highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. 

Calving season is an especially vulnerable period for North Atlantic right whales. To protect the species in their calving grounds and migratory route, Seasonal Management Areas have been designated off the coasts of northeast Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, starting in November. In these areas, vessels 65 feet and greater are required to maintain a speed of 10 knots or less to minimize the risk of collisions. All boaters are encouraged to post a lookout and use caution, particularly in low light and rough seas.  

On their ongoing commitment to safeguarding the North Atlantic right whale, CMARI aerial teams collaborate with various organizations including NOAA Fisheries, Georgia DNR, South Carolina DNR, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command, U.S. Navy, Duke University, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).  

Together, they work tirelessly to mitigate vessel collisions, monitor reproductive rates, provide crucial scientific data for marine decision-makers, assist in disentangling whales from fishing gear, locate carcasses for recovery and necropsies, and aid in genetic research.  

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Media Contact: Marsha Strickhouser | mstrickhouser@CMAquarium.org | (727) 242-0770

About Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. With a mission to preserve the environment and its marine life, CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, a nurse shark and more. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts important global research focused on protecting manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. Major motion picture Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the true stories of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring millions around the world. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.

© 2024 Clearwater Marine Aquarium | 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767 | 727-441-1790 | mission.cmaquarium.org | cmaquarium.org

We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.

A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization

Previous Post: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Hosts “Hope in the Water,” Dec. 5
Next Post: Ditched by Mother Nature, Two Sea Turtles Returned to Gulf by Clearwater Marine Aquarium

We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.
We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

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