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Project Summary

Right Whale Protection

Regional Map


1. Project Identification

Name Right Whale Protection
Region Southeast
State Florida/Georgia
Location Atlantic coast of Florida and Georgia
Date of this update  

2. Problem(s) addressed (check one or more)

Habitat Restoration/Protection  
Wetlands
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk X
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)  

3. Project Description (100 words or less. Please include qualitative information, e.g. acres of habitat restored, miles of steam reopened to migration, and legislative authorization, e.g. WRDA, ISTEA, CWA/NEP, CZMA, etc.)

The waters off southern Georgia and northern Florida are the calving grounds for the endangered right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) from December through March. The total population of these animals currently numbers about 300, with about 11 calves born into the population each year. Although there has been no whaling on this species for nearly 50 years, human impacts remain a major factor in the animal=s ability to increase its numbers. Since the early 1990=s there have been a number of net entanglements and ship strikes leading to the average death and injury of one to two right whales each year. These impacts are believed to be retarding the recovery and growth of the population. Due to this continuing threat to the whales the National Marine Fisheries Service designated this area as critical habitat in June 1994.

These same waters are also heavily used by commercial, recreational, and military vessels traveling to and from highly valuable ports in this region. Jacksonville, the largest, services nearly 1,400 vessels, carrying 5 million tons of cargo each year worth nearly $1.8 billion. The cost to run one of these cargo vessels under normal conditions is about $35,000 per day. When these vessels are impeded during transit, by either collisions or regulations which reduces their speed, the results are increased transportation costs, reduced fuel efficiency and ultimately, a decrease in our nation=s competitiveness. The interaction between right whales and vessels in this area may lead to such cost increases.

Central to the solution are overflights of the waters off Georgia and northern Florida, now being conducted to locate the whales and relay this information to the transiting vessel captains. An "early warning system" on the marine radio has been established to immediately inform all mariners of the presence and locations of whales. Through this communication, vessel captains avoid collisions and can maintain an efficient speed into and out of the ports. The effort, thus far, has had some good results. A number of potential collisions were avoided during the 1993-1994 calving season. In addition, the information gathered on right whales and vessel movement patterns and speeds during 1993 will be used for further avoidance measures for shippers, COE dredges, Navy and Coast Guard vessels, and to facilitate the recovery of the whales in these waters. Thus far, this project has benefitted the commercial shipping industry and the military while ensuring the protection of an endangered marine mammal. It has also facilitated the gathering of important behavioral data on calf production, movement and other habitat related data. For example, the data gathered thus far show that single juveniles spend less time at the surface and are therefore less likely to be sighted than adults. Because juveniles appear to be most vulnerable to ship strikes, these data are very important. Further, it has been suggested that monitoring the population on the wintering/calving grounds may be the best way to assess the population size and trends, thus the surveillance data is vitally important.

Over $240,000 in funding and overflights of these waters have been provided by the COE, the Coast Guard, the Navy, and Sea World which has provided its blimp "Shamu" at no cost. In 1995, airship time is being contributed by Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation, and perhaps others. The NMFS, the lead federal agency, and the Florida and Georgia Departments of Natural Resources have provided the necessary permits and, together with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, the University of Rhode Island and the Marine Mammal Commission, are gathering and evaluating research data from the project.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list) Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

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5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

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8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

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9. Project Status

Initiation date  
Completion date  
Current stage  

10. Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments

See also NOAA's "On the Trail of the Northern Atlantic Right Whale" page

This page was last updated on Friday, 13-Jun-2003 13:25:22 EDT
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