Right Whales return to area on anniversary of calf boating fatality

A year has passed since a yacht collided with a North Atlantic right whale mother-calf pair killing the calf and injuring the mother.  Now the captain of the million dollar vessel recounts his regretful mistake to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources so that others won’t suffer similar loss.

Right Whale calving season is in full swing with several whales along our coastline. A mother and her calf were recently spotted on Valentine’s Day three miles offshore Mickler’s Beach by an aerial survey plane. Days earlier two whales were offshore Jacksonville Beach and more were sighted just north of St. Augustine Inlet where two whales were struck February 12, 2021.

The endangered species sightings are welcoming. Marine traffic dangers have played a leading role in dwindling the right whale population to fewer than 350.

With so few of these whales left, it is important for the animals to have protected waters along the southeast coastline for the winter calving season.

Researchers estimate there are fewer than 70 reproductively active North Atlantic right whale females remaining to help replenish the species.

Entanglements in fishing gear and collisions with boats and ships are the primary killers.

That’s what happened when the 54-foot sportfisher, About Time, slammed into two whales flinging its passengers and boosting the 54,000-pound boat out of the water. Eventually the boat sank on its way back to the Conch House in St. Augustine and the calf died.

What can boaters do?

Go Slow – Whales Below!” recommendations:

• Slow down. It may give a boat operator time to react.
  
• Post a lookout. Watch for black objects, whitewater and splashes.
  
• Avoid boating in the dark, in rough seas or otherwise when visibility is poor.
  
• Use the Whale Alert app and consult the WhaleMap website to know if whales are possibly in the area.
  
• Keep at least 500 yards from right whales (it’s the law) and report whale sightings and collisions immediately to the Coast Guard on marine VHF Ch. 16 or call 1-877-WHALE-HELP (942-5343).