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Right Whale found dead and on Crescent Beach

February 3rd, 2011 | Comments Off on Right Whale found dead and on Crescent Beach

This is tragic. The Northern Right Whales are an endangered species. There are only 100’s known in existence today. Prior to the beginning of the 19 century they were in the thousands.

North Atlantic populations have been decimated over-exploitation by the whaling industry. The species gets its names from early whalers, who considered them to be the “right” whales to hunt. Their slower pace, the fact that they come close to land, along with their tendency to float after being killed and the product exploit, their oil made them lucrative targets.

Today, they are a protected and endangered species.

During this time of year, the female Right Whale migrates south to breed. Following the eastern seaboard of the United States from the coastal waters off New England to south Florida, can be found the migration and breading grounds for these beautiful creatures. Off the coast between South Georgia to south of St. Johns county Florida, the breading ground moves Eastward to over 100 miles off shore. This is the largest area where the Right Whales are predominate in breading and nursing their calf, before heading north by early spring.

The female breeds on average once every three to five years. Gestation is about one year and the single calf is nursed for nine to 12 months. Pregnant females migrate to an area off the coast of Georgia and Florida to give birth between December and March and then migrate north.

During this time, federal and local laws aggressively prohibit any intentional contact that would disturb their natural habits and breeding and are enforced without prejudice. Though the laws apply at all times, it is especially this at this time of migration and breeding extra care must be taken to help ensure their survival and hopeful growth of the population.

Florida is very aggressive when it comes to marine conservation and preservation. Zero is the benchmark for tolerance towards any mistreatment of marine life which make this individual proud of the state and 100% supportive of that effort.

Unfortunately, there are cases where they are found dead either through natural occurrence or by accident. One of the problems are strikes by large vessels. Often unable to get out of the way of large cargo vessels, being struck internal and external injuries usually leads to its demise.

Read FirstCoastNews Article on Right Whale death. February 3, 2011

Other sources of information on Right Whales

savebiogems
switchboard
SouthernEnvironment

Navy’s proposed Undersea Warfare Training Range off Jax.

Information about the sonar / whale / diving range:

http://aeinews.org/

www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/jax_loa.pdf

http://www.nrdc.org/media/pressreleases/060113.asp ,

http://www.southernenvironment.org/newsroom/press_releases/10_29_navy_sonar_proposal/

http://www.connectsavannah.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A11089

http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/publiccomments.htm

http://www.awionline.org/oceans/news/US_Navy_Issues_Impact_Statements_Oct_2005.htm