Clearwater, Florida. (December 8, 2025) — The first North Atlantic right whales of the 2025-2026 calving season have been spotted by researchers from Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI). The sighting marks a critical milestone at the start of the annual calving season, which begins each November. With another being spotted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission (FWC), this brings the total calves spotted to three.
1. Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute’s aerial survey team located Champagne (catalog #3904) and her calf east of Atlantic Beach, South Carolina on Nov. 28. This is the first aerial sighting of a mom and calf right whale pair in the Southeast US for the 2025-2026 season. Champagne is 17 years old and this is her second documented calf. Her first calf, named Wall-E, was born in 2021.
2. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) aerial survey team sighted the second calf of the season on Dec. 3, with their mom, Millipede (catalog #3520) east of the Florida/Georgia border.
3. The third aerial sighting of a mom and calf right whale pair in the Southeast US: The South Carolina Early Warning System (SCWS) survey team from CMARI sighted a new, first time mom on Dec. 4. Catalog #3760 Callosity Back and calf were sighted approximately 24.7nm east of DeBordieu Beach, South Carolina.
On November 15, CMARI’s dedicated aerial survey team took to the skies to monitor and document right whale activity—efforts that contribute directly to the protection and recovery of this critically endangered species. With an estimated population of only 384 individuals remaining, including just over 70 reproductively active females, the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) faces a precarious future.
“Providing a safe haven for mothers and calves during calving season is absolutely essential,” said Melanie White, CMARI research biologist. “Seasonal management areas play a vital role in protecting this species in its only known calving grounds.”
During this vulnerable period, Seasonal Management Areas are enforced from November through April along key portions of the southeastern U.S. coast, including northeast Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Within these zones, vessels 65 feet and longer are required to travel at speeds of 10 knots or less to reduce the risk of fatal vessel strikes.
The North Atlantic right whale has been protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act for more than 50 years. Despite these protections, the species remains at high risk due to human-related threats, particularly ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.
CMARI works in close partnership with NOAA Fisheries, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Georgia and South Carolina Departments of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command, U.S. Navy, and Duke University. These collaborations aim to reduce human impacts, collect critical scientific data, monitor whale health and reproduction, and respond to entanglement and stranding events.
As the calving season unfolds, CMARI and its partners remain steadfast in their mission to support the survival of the North Atlantic right whale.
Photo credit: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #26919. Funded by United States Army Corps of Engineers.
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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.
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