Whales arriving earlier this year

North Atlantic right whale and calf

http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-11-22/whales-arriving-earlier-year-0

By LORRAINE THOMPSON

The whales are coming.

Although the North Atlantic right whales usually begin entering local waters in December, they may arrive earlier this season.

According to Joy Hampp, director of the Marineland Right Whale Project, the South Carolina/Georgia right whale survey team began flying surveys on Nov. 15 and reported two North Atlantic right whales off the coast of Georgia on Thursday.

Once a thriving species, fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales are known to exist, making them the world's most endangered whales.

Each year pregnant females migrate from the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, and the Gulf of Maine to the coastal waters of the southeastern United States to give birth and nurse their young. Last year, 19 calves were born in Southeast waters, the only known calving grounds.

The experts surmise that last year's colder than normal water temperatures contributed to the relatively low birth number, or it may have been the whales' birthing cycle. During the 2008-09 season a record of 40 calves were counted.

Females give birth every three to five years to a single calf after a 12- to 14-month gestation. Calves are completely dependent on their mothers for about one year. Right whales mature slowly and females are typically 9 to 10 years old before they give birth to their first calf. Studies show that males are 15 years old or older before they sire a calf. Right whales usually migrate alone or as a mother-calf pair.

"There has not been a documented right whale death since January 2009," Hampp said. "Last season was the second year that the speed reduction laws, requiring most vessels greater than 65 feet to maintain speeds of 10 knots or less in critical right whale areas, were in effect. While it is too early to know if this is making a difference, the absence of whale deaths is encouraging."

However, right whales continue to become entangled in fishing gear and have been photographed with new propeller scars, so the threats to their survival remain present.

Three years ago, whale watchers observed the adventures of right whale No. 2753, Arpeggio. She appeared off St. Augustine in mid-December and lingered in the area for two weeks with her first calf.

"Since the minimum interval between calves is three years," said Hampp, "we could see her again this season."

Another female, No. 1622, has been seen off St. Augustine and to the south every three years since 2002 with her second, third and fourth calves. "We last saw her in 2008, so if she repeats her pattern, she may be visiting our area this season, too, with her fifth calf."

WHALE WATCHERS NEEDED

Experienced and new whale watchers, as part of a network of volunteers, are needed to help monitor the whale traffic in our area. Training is provided. Seasonal visitors as well as residents are invited to attend training sessions.

A training session will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Anastasia Island Branch Library, 124 Sea Grove Main St. (off A1A at A Street) in St. Augustine Beach. Other sessions are scheduled on Dec. 4 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Flagler County Public Library in Palm Coast and from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Ormond Beach Public Library. An orientation for all volunteers will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Center for Marine Studies, Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, 9505 Ocean Shore Blvd. in Marineland.

Although the official whale watching survey is scheduled to begin Jan. 3, the whales don't always follow that calendar. Last year the first whale sighting occurred in mid-December.

For information on the volunteer program, call 461-4058 or e-mail marinelandrightwhale@gmail.com. Early whale sighting reports should be directed to the toll-free Marine Resources Counsel Whale Hotline at (888) 979-4253. Any local sightings will be passed on to Hampp.