Endangered species: Right whales sighted near South Carolina coast

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. A newborn North Atlantic right whale calf has been observed for the first time this season off the South Carolina shoreline. Each year, these whales travel from their feeding areas near Canada and New England to warmer waters along the Carolinas and Florida, where they give birth during the winter months.

On November 28, researchers from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute conducted an aerial survey and identified a 17-year-old mother whale, named Champagne, swimming with her calf east of Litchfield by the Sea. This sighting brings optimism for the survival of this critically endangered species.

Lauren Rust, executive director of the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, estimates that the total population of right whales is approximately 384, with fewer than 70 adult females capable of reproducing. These females may only give birth once every three to ten years due to stress or limited food availability. Last year, 11 calves were documented, while in some recent years, up to 20 calves have been recorded, according to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Institute.

The main threats to right whales remain collisions with boats and entanglement in fishing gear. While these whales are usually seen offshore, sightings frequently occur within five miles of the coast, often noticed by smaller vessels or recreational fishers. Boaters are encouraged to watch for whale blows and report sightings to 1-877-WHALE-HELP.

Right whales are extremely valuable and critically endangered. They play an important role in marine ecosystems, and it is our duty to protect them so they are not lost forever, Rust emphasized.

Encouragingly, conservation and protection measures have contributed to positive trends in the population, according to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Institute, offering hope for the future of these remarkable marine mammals.

Author: Maya Henderson