It’s always a joy to see a whale, especially when it’s the first in a long time! Researchers have just spotted the first North Atlantic right whales of the season – somewhere between 4 and 7 of these magnificent creatures are swimming in Cape Cod Bay right now.
Among the group of whales seen off the coast of Provincetown, MA were two adult females: Aphrodite and Archipelago, who both gave birth to calves last season.
Aphrodite and a calf. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries
Though only 356 right whales remain in the world, the rate at which their populations have been declining appears to be leveling off.
It’s through no small effort by researchers and conservationists alike that we can observe these whales, work to keep them safe from the many threats they face, and fight to increase their diminished numbers. With the cooperation of different stakeholders, we can take on their biggest dangers – vessel strikes, warming oceans, and fishing equipment entanglements.
All progress is good progress, but we’ve still got plenty of work ahead of us.
Archipelago and a calf. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries
We’re pushing the NOAA to create the North Atlantic Right Whale National Marine Sanctuary in order to protect the very areas where Aphrodite and Archipelago were spotted. This way, we can continue to monitor the growth and stability of the right whale population and, hopefully, bring them back from the brink.
Thanks for joining in the fight,
Rob
