The holidays were busy for right whales in local waters, as three right whale calves were spotted nearby. Many whales have been sighted off Northeast Florida in recent surveys, and boaters are reminded to post a lookout and use caution. Please report right whale sightings to 1-877-WHALE-HELP (877-942-5343) or to the USCG on VHF Ch. 16.
Whale calf No. 6: Catalog #3546 “Halo” was sighted with a newborn calf on Dec. 28 off Cumberland Island, Ga. “Halo” is 19 years old, and this is her third calf. She last gave birth four years ago during the 2020 calving season.
Whale calf No. 7: Aerial survey teams spotted Catalog #3780 with a newborn calf on Dec. 31, 2023, offshore of Amelia Island. Catalog #3780 is at least 17 years old, and this is her first calf. The calf is less than three days old.
Whale calf No. 8: Survey teams sighted Catalog #1802 “Legato” with a calf off Nassau Sound on Dec. 31. “Legato” is 36 years old, and this is her fifth calf. She last gave birth 13 years ago during the 2011 calving season.
If you are looking for right whale volunteer opportunities or would like to learn more about the volunteer sighting networks, visit Blue World Research Institute’s Right Whale Sighting Network and the Marineland Right Whale Project blog at www.marinelandrightwhale.blogspot.com.