The endangered North Atlantic right whale utilizes the Atlantic Coast off Georgia and Florida as calving grounds. Volunteer spotters, typically 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. This information is also shared with area boaters and alerts the shipping lanes in an effort to avoid further deaths of these right whales by collision.
The 2012 survey year starts Tuesday, January 3rd. Reminder to all volunteers, both new and returning - the Survey Training Class will be held Monday, January 2nd from 2 to 4:30pm 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 known cause of death of northern right whales.
patterns and behavioral characteristics in the southeast critical habitat.
TO REPORT A WHALE
Please add these phone numbers to your cell address book:
> IN HAMMOCK DUNES SECTOR CALL SHARON AT 313-333-7344
> OR CALL THE HOTLINE 1-888-979-4253 / 1-888-97-WHALE
Reporting Strategy
For any sighting, be prepared with the following
information:
Date, time and location of the sighting
Number of animals sighted
Distinctive features and estimated length
of the animal
How you can be contacted (i.e. contact
information for original report; how an
observer can be contacted)
Signs of injury or entanglement
Description of behavior, any injuries
and/or entangling gear
If the whale is dead, the condition of the
carcass
For more information: Marineland Right Whale Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment