Research: Northern Atlantic Right Whale Surveys

Each year, a team of volunteers led by experienced researchers, station themselves along the Atlantic coastline of Florida, in order to count and observe Right Whale population numbers as well as their corresponding behavior. The coastline of Georgia and Northeast Florida is the only known calving ground for this highly endangered species. Currently the Northern Atlantic Right Whale population totals around 400 animals, with an average of 12 calves born per year. This type of volunteer whale monitoring program is based on work begun in the late 1960's by a team of researchers employed here at Marineland, David and Melba Caldwell. Marineland's Dolphin Conservation Center is proud to be a partner in the Annual Right Whale Surveys conducted by several institutions including Associated Scientists at Wood's Hole , the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Marine Resources Council, and others. 

Monitoring of the population in these waters has two principal goals: 1) Decrease ship (boat) strikes as well as fishing gear entanglement, and 2) Study the distribution, population, reproduction, behavior, and habitat usage, so as to enhance the conservation and recovery of this species.

Every winter, dedicated volunteers use cameras, video equipment, aircraft, water craft, and even satellites to monitor animal movements. Using designated coastal points, verified sightings are recorded, and the majority of those are suitable for individual photo-identification. Right whale markings, particulary on the top of the head, are unique to each whale, and thus can be used as a "finger print" to identify each animal present.

The Northern Atlantic Right Whale Survey is an ongoing project. Currently, the animal sightings are entered into a database utilized by scientists as a way of "measuring the recovery rate" and other essential population characteristics of this endangered group of cetaceans.

Links:
www.aswh.org
www.mrcirl.org
www.rightwhale.org

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