A right whale sighting was caught off the coast of Ponte Vedra Beach on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been contacted and suggested the sighting could be a North Atlantic right whale named Calvin and her calf. Calvin is believed to be 28 years old and currently rearing her fourth calf. She was last seen off the coast of Georgia.
The Marine Resources Council has been asking residents to get trained in right whale spotting and reporting. The information has proven vital in helping the FWC protect the highly endangered species from collisions with boats or engage in disentanglement response if needed. Data collection on right whales has helped scientists monitor population fluctuations and assist with tracking their migration in order to better alert vessels of common right whale hot spots.
As of 2018, there were only 411 right whales reported in the population and zero calves born that year. The most common threat to their existence is boating collisions and entanglement in debris. To spot a right whale from the shore, look for:
- Rough, white patches of skin on the head called callosities
- Short, stubby, black flippers on the sides of the body
- Triangular black tail with smooth edges and a deep notch in the middle
- No dorsal (back) fin
- V-shaped blow of water when they exhale.
Report whale sightings as soon as possible to MRC’s right whale sighting hotline at (888) 97-WHALE or (888) 979-4253 from December through April.
Photos provided by Lori Moffit
