Endangered Right Whale: Record 206 In Cape Cod Bay

PROVINCETOWN, MA — The North Atlantic right whale, which has been teetering on the brink of extinction for nearly century, could be making a comeback. The whale is critically endangered; there are only about 523 remaining. Over the weekend, researchers said they spotted a record 206 right whales in Cape Cod Bay, including four calves.

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Researchers were encouraged by the sightings but said the abundance of whales in the bay increases the chances of boat collisions. On Thursday, one of the right whale calves was found dead, likely from a boat propeller strike, researchers said.

"We are upset about the loss of this calf, especially as right whales are at very low abundance and every calf is critically important to their recovery," says Kim Damon-Randall, a fisheries administrator for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "We were very excited about the large number of right whale sightings in Cape Cod Bay including the four calves."

Right whales, which grow up to 50 feet and 80 tons, are drawn to Cape Cod Bay to feed on zooplankton. The whales were nearly hunted into extinction in the 1800s and in 1935 most countries agreed to stop hunting them. Their population plummeted to an estimated 295 in 1992. Their habitat stretches from Nova Scotia down to Georgia.

The Provincetown-based Center for Coastal Studies said on Sunday, April 9, a record 112 right whales were spotted in Cape Cod Bay. Then on Saturday, April 15, 206 whales were spotted, a new record.

Related

• Endangered Right Whale Calf Dies In Cape Cod Bay
• Record 112 Endangered Right Whales In Cape Cod Bay

Photos: Some of the 206 North Atlantic right whales researchers spotted in Cape Cod Bay April 9-15, 2017. (Credit: Center for Coastal Studies)