Right Whale Calving Season Begins with New Arrival in Georgia

For the second year in a row, the first new moon of December brings the first right whale calf of the 2024-2025 season. Right whale catalog #2413 “Nauset” and her calf were sighted approximately five nautical miles off Blackbeard Island, Ga. on Dec. 1, 2024. Nauset is 31 years old and this is her fifth calf. Nauset was named for the Nauset lighthouse on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, as the front part of her callosity pattern is shaped like a lighthouse. 

November 15 marked the official beginning of right whale calving season off our shores. Last month, expecting female right whales began their annual migration to the warm waters of the southeast coast of North America. They have spent their summer in the cool waters off the northeast coast between the Gulf of Maine and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

According to New England Aquarium researchers at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, unique identifying features are critical to the identification of each whale. It can take months for newborn whales to develop these unique features. Other methods employed to identify each whale include genetic sampling. However, it is not always possible to obtain samples for analysis. Hopefully, a DNA sample of Nauset’s newest calf will be obtained, and we will be able to follow this bundle of joy for years to come. 

Expecting mothers will give birth and bond with their newborn calves, sometimes very close to shore. Over the years, many mother and calf pairs have been sighted just off the beaches of Amelia Island. One quick and easy way to see if North Atlantic right whales are near our shores is to use the interactive map found at Whalemap. If a whale is listed close to Amelia Island, grab your binoculars and head to the beach. My favorite Amelia Island whale observation locations are Burney Park at American Beach, Main Beach, and North Beach.

There are several signs that a whale and calf might be nearby. Look for many seabirds diving in the same location. And look for dark spots on the surface of the water. Right whales do not have a dorsal fin on the top of their back. And they tend to rest just below the surface of the water. This makes them difficult to spot when resting. However, when the mother and calf are active, we often see the tail and fins break the water’s surface. Another indicator that a right whale is present is the signature “V” shaped blow that shoots into the air with every breath it takes.

Whalemap was designed to communicate whale survey results for effective management practices. Data collected from acoustic buoys, aerial surveillance, and boat observations are uploaded daily and made public for all to use. Research teams from the United States and Canada collaborate to share data and strategies designed to protect the estimated 370 remaining North Atlantic Right Whales.

If you are lucky enough to spot a whale, call 877-WHALE-HELP (877-942-5343) or call the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Ch. 16. Please have the following information ready: location of whale(s), city, lat/long, nearby landmark, number of whales, direction traveling, are dolphins and birds present, your name and a call back number. Remember to remain at least 500 yards from right whales.