2014 Florida Volunteer Updates

As the North Atlantic right whales migrate to the South Georgia/Northern Florida coast each winter volunteers help watch for and capture critical details related to this endangered species. This information helps scientists track the fate of the species and acts as a first alert system to pilots in the shipping lanes to avoid accidental killings. This blog shares the findings, photos and other pertinent information gathered from the Palm Coast Sector Volunteer Team while helping to connect and communicate the many ways we can protect the right whales and sustain our wonderful ocean life.

Friday, December 17, 2010

New Survey Season Kicks Off January 3!


The endangered right whale utilizes the Atlantic Coast off Georgia and Florida as calving grounds. Volunteer spotters, living in high rise condos beachside report right whale sightings to track the whales' movement and behavior patterns along the Atlantic Coast in an effort to determine migration characteristics of these highly endangered marine mammals. The 2011 survey year starts Monday, January 3rd. Reminder to all volunteers, both new and returning - the team orientation / refresher course will be held Sunday, January 2nd from 3 to 5pm at the Center for Marine Studies, Whitney Lab at Marineland. 

Our mission statement:

- To be the eyes, ears and voice of the northern right whale in its only known calving ground off the Florida Atlantic coast.
- To cooperate with scientists and resource managers and report whale sightings to alert ships at sea in order to reduce ship collisions, the greatest know cause of death of northern right whales.
- To gather scientific data regarding right whale occurrence, movement patterns and behavioral characteristics in the southeast critical habitat.



* REPORT SIGHTINGS TOLL FREE TO 1-888-979-4253 / 1-888-97-WHALE