Right Whale Season Update: Calves, Collaborations, and Curious Journeys

As the 2024-2025 North Atlantic right whale calving season ends, I am grateful for the 11 baby whales delivered this year in the warm waters of the coastal southeast. Four of the calves born this season were to first-time mothers. Unfortunately, 11 calves are not enough for the species to begin meaningful recovery. However, efforts to increase the approximate number of 372 right whales in the population are happening in many unique ways.

The Southeast Collaboratory for the North Atlantic right whale reported this year that they have 26 members in their group, which includes the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors (AIWA). The collaborators connect group members and share their talents and focus with all. AIWA was noted for their ability to “inspire energy and emotion, informing the public about the agony of entanglement and vessel strikes, and the deep connection between mother and calf,” according to Greg Reilly of the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors also celebrated the installation of MotionInfo’s Maritime Information Systems StationKeeper at Seaside Amelia Inn this season. During the calving season, vessels greater than 65' are required to slow down to protect right whales. StationKeeper uses the USCG's Automated Identification System (AIS) to monitor real-time vessel speeds. Vessels that exceed the 10 knots speed requirement are sent a real-time alert via AIS. Research indicates that if vessels slow to 10 knots, they are less likely to kill or severely injure right whales. Many thanks to Seaside Amelia Inn for your efforts to help protect North Atlantic right whales while they are calving in our local waters.

StationKeeper system installed at Seaside Amelia Inn.
Photo courtesy of Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), the University of South Carolina, and Skidaway Institute of Oceanography are listening to right whale mothers and calves off the southeast coast. During the 2024-2025 calving season, two unmanned Slocum gliders were deployed. The vehicles glided along shallow coastal waters, listening for the presence of whales. Acoustic monitoring will supplement aerial observation for right whales in the upcoming 2025-2026 calving season beginning in November.

“The return of the right whales to the Bay of Fundy news is a welcome surprise to the right whale community,” reports Amy Knowlton of the New England Aquarium. The whales have been feeding further north in the Gulf of St. Lawrence since 2010. However, in 2023, the whales began feeding further south in the Gulf of Maine. Cold, sub-Arctic currents shifted, and zooplankton, the main food source for right whales, shifted too. Looking at deep water current data from 2010-2023, the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences discovered that underlying ocean currents and temperature can predict future feeding grounds. This information will help researchers predict where protections will be needed for right whales.

An unusual right whale event was taking place along the west coast of Florida this season. Two right whale adult females, Koala #3954 and Curlew # 4190 had been observed traveling in this region. It is very rare to see North Atlantic right whales along Florida's Gulf coast. The two very curious adults were located off the coast of Amelia Island last November. They continued south through the Straits of Florida and into the Gulf. By February 2, 2025, the pair was spotted just off the coast of Mobile, Alabama. They headed back east to Panama City, Florida and then further south to St. Petersburg. Then, they took another turn and headed back to the Florida panhandle once more. Lots of researchers were wondering if they were stuck in the Gulf and having a hard time finding their way back to the Atlantic coast. As of April 11, the pair was once again off the coast of Tampa. On April 17 the pair was finally observed in the Atlantic Ocean and they were headed north — what an adventure!

The Marineland Right Whale Project, located just south of St. Augustine, Florida captured excellent drone video of Caterpillar and her calf this past January just offshore. The video shows mom and calf bonding and interacting with dolphins and their newly born offspring as well. Thank you to the Marineland Right Whale Project for sharing this beautiful, peaceful moment.

As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2025, I am inspired by North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium member Jim Hain and his “Thoughts on a Path Forward.” Jim asks us all to consider, “What can I do to help North Atlantic right whales in the coming year?” My answer to his question is to educate, advocate and mobilize our community to help conserve this precious and valuable gift provided by Mother Earth, the North Atlantic right whale. Don’t be shy, get involved. Contact our very own Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors to see how you can help us protect North Atlantic right whales.

Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors is an all-volunteer organization helping to protect North Atlantic right whales through education and awareness. Amelia Island, Florida, is the heart of the calving grounds for this critically endangered species. In winter, we are often fortunate to be able to see mothers nurturing their new calves in our warm coastal waters.