Hi, the divers are all concerned with IFdiving!
Image source: Oceana
North Atlantic right whales, one of the most endangered species on Earth, live mainly in the waters of the North Atlantic. They reproduce on average every 3 to 6 years and produce only one litter per litter. The latest figures show that the North Atlantic right whale population is just over 300 and in a precarious position.
The good news is that during the latest breeding season, critically endangered North Atlantic right whales have produced a total of 17 juvenile whales. That's more than the total number of juvenile whales observed in the last three breeding seasons combined.
But can this really be considered a "baby boom"?
The answer is no. Although this is indeed a good sign, it is also very worth celebrating. In fact, we've seen up to 39 North Atlantic right whales spawn during a breeding season, but unfortunately too many right whales are still dying from entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with boats.
It is estimated that only 360 North Atlantic right whales are known, of which fewer than 90 are reproductively capable females.
North Atlantic right whales migrate in winter to warm waters off the coasts of Georgia and Florida, where they give birth to offspring.
Here's a small fraction of the 17 new right whale mothers observed during the breeding season.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="21">Bocce (#3860)</h1>
Image source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
On January 13, 2021, Bocce, numbered 3860, and his baby whales were found. Ten years ago, Bocce survived a ship-crash when it was just a small dewfin whale. Now, this is the second juvenile whale known to have been laid.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="13">Grand Teton (#1145)</h1>
Numbered 1145, Grand Teton is a super mom, the eighth baby she has given birth to! Grand Teton, now about 40 years old, was observed on January 11, 2021 with its juvenile whales.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="22">Binary (#3010)</h1>
Image credit: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute
On January 9, 2021, a North Atlantic right whale known as "Binary" and its juvenile whales were found near Florida. Binary is at least 21 years old, the third baby whale known to have spawned. It is reported that in 2011, Binary was found entangled in fishing gear, but fortunately it managed to get rid of the gear and survived.