Even kayaking in the salt marsh can impact the birds that live there. Learn what you can do avoid disrupting the birds we all love to watch. Click here

50 Whales Confirmed in Calving Area

 

Scientists have confirmed 50 North Atlantic right whales in Florida and Georgia during the 2004 right whale calving season! We welcomed 15 new calves to the right whale population and an additional 20 individuals (10 of which were males) were also spotted here in the southeast. The 20 individuals that were spotted in local waters aged anywhere from one year to at least 23 years of age. A mother and daughter (Kleenex and Snotnose, respectively) both gave birth this year! One of the moms (#1705) had her sister (#2710) join her in local waters as well! Unfortunately, their pregnant mother was also headed to the calving ground when she was found dead off the coast of Virginia Beach.

Read the complete Right Whale Newsletter

Northern Right Whale mom and calf

Northern Right Whale Facts
Size up to 55 ft and 70 tons
Life expectancy

more than 70 yrs

Range

East coast of N. America

Habitat coastal waters
Status Federally listed as Endangered
Estimated population about 300
Calving Season
# of Cow/calf pairs
1996-1997
18
1997-1998
5
1998-1999
3
1999-2000
1
2000-2001
26
2001-2002
16
2002-2003
 
2003-2004
16
Information courtesy of New England Aquarium
As you can see the largest number of Right Whale sightings are right off the Amelia Island/Jacksonville coast

Plastic Pollution

This link will show you how our garbage is drowning and maiming turtles, dolphins, manatees and other critters in our oceans. The main killers are tangled fishing line, balloons and other plastics. Please be careful about how you dispose of these items.

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