Saving The North Atlantic Right Whale | Conservation Efforts
Georgia’s state marine mammal, the North Atlantic right whale, is also the most endangered large whale species on Earth.
The North Atlantic right whale is a very important part of Georgia’s story. Each winter, the warm waters of the Georgia coast beckon our blubbery friends from the north. Arriving in late November and early December, calving North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) make their annual journey from the frigid seas of New England and Nova Scotia to give birth and rear young off of the temperate Atlantic coast of Georgia and Florida, the species’ only known calving ground. Since 1981, when these beautiful creatures were first spotted along our coast, each calving season has been met with great anticipation, and often anxiety, by right whale supporters.
With a population estimated at fewer than 380 adults and calves, our coast has become one of the most important places in the world for the species’ survival.
What Does a Right Whale Look Like?
North Atlantic right whales are among the largest animals on Earth. Adults usually grow 35 to 55 feet long and can weigh up to 70 tons. They’re identified by their broad backs without dorsal fins, strong V-shaped blows, and rough white patches of skin on their heads called callosities, which scientists use to recognize individuals. Even at their size, right whales feed almost entirely on tiny zooplankton, filtering thousands of gallons of seawater through their baleen plates.
Successful reproduction is a challenge for the North Atlantic right whale. Female right whales reach reproductive maturity at around 10 years of age. Historically, the species can give birth to only one calf every three to five years, yet increased trauma from entanglement and ship strikes have increased this interval to nearly 10 years. With an estimated population of less than 100 breeding females, every birth is a cause for celebration. However, the long distances that right whale mothers and calves must travel between their birthing grounds and primary habitat provide many threats to the survival of this precious cargo.
Why Are Right Whales Endangered?
The current conservation status of the North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered. With fewer than 380 North Atlantic right whales estimated left in our oceans, the species is the world’s most endangered large whale and lingering on the brink of extinction.
After the hunting of right whales was banned in the 1930s, the population saw a steady increase from its lowest estimated population of 100. However, that trend has reversed in recent years. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in documenting Unusual Mortality Events, between 2017 and 2022 there were “92 right whale deaths, serious injuries and morbidity (sublethal injuries/illness) cases in U.S. and Canadian waters”. Because the species has an increasingly low birth rate, this is not a net positive equation.
What is Threatening Right Whales?
The life of a North Atlantic right whale is fraught with danger – and the leading causes of death are related to human activities: vessel collisions and fishing gear entanglement. Almost 90% of right whale mortalities can be traced to one of these causes of death. Of the eight confirmed North Atlantic right whales deaths this summer in Canada, three of those deaths were the result of ship strikes. Additionally, NOAA has estimated that more than 85% of all North Atlantic right whales have been entangled in fishing gear at least once. Another human activity, seismic air-gun blasting, which is used in the search for oil and gas below the ocean floor, is an emerging threat to the North Atlantic right whale.
These whales are slow swimmers and often swim just under the surface of the water, which makes them especially vulnerable to ship strikes. With no dorsal fin, they can be hard to spot from a moving vessel. Furthermore, because right whales migrate so close to our coastlines, they often collide and tangle with longline fishing gear left in our waters for recreational and commercial deep sea fishing.
Right whale habitat along Georgia’s coast overlaps with busy shipping routes, commercial fishing grounds, and areas of development, meaning much of their survival is dependent on us sharing our waters so these animals can safely navigate.
Here are ways the Georgia Conservancy is working to save the North Atlantic Right Whale:
AIS Beacon System
To help reduce ship strikes and protect North Atlantic right whales, efforts are underway to install seven Automatic Identification System (AIS) beacons along Georgia’s coastline. These stations will create a real-time warning system that alerts vessels (65 feet and above) to reduce speeds when entering active right whale calving grounds. Georgia Conservancy currently sponsors the AIS beacon on Sapelo Island
Go Slow, Whales Below
Ships strikes are a leading cause of North Atlantic right whale casualties. The Georgia Conservancy is leading right whale outreach in coastal communities with the development of new marina signage and a mailing campaign to alert boaters of the need to reduce vessel speeds during right whale calving season. These outreach efforts work in tandem with our support of AIS beacon installations along the Georgia coast.
Right Whale Advocacy
Georgia’s state marine mammal, the North Atlantic right whale, is the most endangered large whale species on Earth. As our coastal waters are home to the right whale’s calving grounds, Georgia Conservancy is collaborating with partners to save the majestic mammal and leading advocacy to strengthen right whale protections at the federal, state, and local levels.
Ropeless Fishing Gear
During the Summer of 2022, the Georgia Conservancy commenced a two-year research project funded by the University of Georgia Marine Extension’s Sea Grant program and in partnership with Sustainable Seas Technologies, Inc to study the innovation of on-demand traps, also known as “ropeless fishing gear”, to encourage sustainably-caught black sea bass and reduce whale deaths caused by entanglement
North Atlantic Right Whale Fast Facts
- Georgia’s State Marine Mammal
- Adults average of 35-55 feet long and can weigh up to 70 tons
- Estimated population of fewer than 380 individuals and fewer then 100 breeding females
- Female North Atlantic Right Whales reach reproductive maturity at age 10
- On average, breeding right whales are giving birth every 7-10 years
- Average of 11 new calves per year over the last 10 years
Source: NOAA Fisheries
Time Is Running Out—Act Now
The extinction of the North Atlantic right whale is not inevitable—but without urgent action, it will be.
Every moment counts. Every dollar makes a difference.
Make your tax-deductible donation today and be part of the fight to save these incredible creatures.
Together, we can ensure the Right Whale’s song is not silenced forever.
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