About the Gulf of Maine

Right Whales — on the Brink

Right Whales Home | About the Right Whale | Current Threats | Conservation Efforts

Current Right Whale Conservation Efforts

Right whales are listed as an endangered species in the U.S. There are two federally mandated Implementation Teams coordinating right whale recovery efforts under the authority of the Endangered Species Act. In addition, the National Marine Fisheries Service has designated three of the right whales’ seasonal feeding and calving areas as critical habitats that are essential to the whales continued survival. In Canada, Marine Mammal Regulations, pursuant to the Fisheries Act, address marine mammal issues.

Southeast Implementation Team

There is one right whale critical habitat in the Southeast, covering the coastal area from Altamaha Sound, Georgia to Sebastian Inlet, Florida. This area is the right whales’ main calving grounds. The Implementation Team has developed an early warning system to help reduce the number of vessel collisions in this region. Aerial surveys are conducted over the critical habitat from December to March, and the location of right whales is forwarded to all vessels in the area.

Northeast Implementation Team

There are two designated critical habitats in the Northeast - Cape Cod Bay and the Great South Channel. Surveys are performed over these areas by Coast Guard helicopter, boat trips, and small plane flyovers, in order to provide information about whale locations for vessel traffic. Mariners are notified by NOAA weather radio and on a special NMFS fishery broadcast frequency.

Canada

The Canadian government has established conservation areas for right whales in the Grand Manan Basin and Roseway Basin. Ships operating in these areas from July through November are asked to follow seasonal guidelines to decrease the possibility of collisions. For more information, contact the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

You can help protect whales and their marine habitats.

• Operate safely around whales and other marine mammals. U.S. federal law requires a 500 yard buffer zone around right whales. (50 CFR part 222.32)
• Never throw trash into the ocean - dispose of it properly. Plastics can kill wildlife, including whales. (MARPOL* Annex V; 33 CFR 151)
• Never release poisonous or toxic substances. These can harm whales, fish, plankton and corals. (MARPOL Annexes I and II; 33 CFR 151 and 40 CFR 117)
• Support conservation, research and education initiatives.

*International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

For more information contact info@gulfofmaine.org