North Atlantic right whale experts on both sides of the border are expressing cautious optimism following an increase in the number of new calves born this year. The calving season, spanning from November to April off the southeastern U.S., saw the birth of twenty-three calves, marking the highest count since 2009.
Amy Warren, a scientific program officer at the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, described the birth of twenty-three calves this year as a hopeful sign. However, she emphasized the importance of these calves surviving into adulthood to bolster the endangered population of North Atlantic right whales, which currently stands at a mere 380 individuals as per the latest official estimate from 2024.
Historically, around two to three decades ago, the annual count of new right whale calves was approximately 20. However, in recent years, this number had dwindled to an average of 10 to 15, with no known calves born in 2018. Warren highlighted the significance of sustained positive trends in calving rates to offset the previous years of low numbers.
The reasons behind the surge in calf births this year remain unclear, but researchers believe that the health of the mothers plays a crucial role, influenced by factors such as food availability. North Atlantic right whales feed on specific plankton, which has been shifting northward due to climate change. This has led to food scarcity in the calving grounds off Florida and Georgia, forcing the mothers to fast during the calving, nursing, and migration periods.
In addition to food challenges, human-induced stressors like ocean noise, ship traffic, vessel collisions, and entanglement in fishing gear pose further threats to the well-being of North Atlantic right whales. Conservation efforts, including fishery closures and speed restrictions for marine vessels, have been implemented in Canadian and U.S. waters to safeguard these marine mammals.
The positive trend extends beyond the increased number of calves, as some mothers exhibited shorter intervals between giving birth to their previous offspring and this year’s calves. This development is seen as a promising sign by researchers, indicating potential improvements in the overall health and reproductive success of the whale population.
While the birth of 23 new calves is a positive development, Warren emphasized the need for sustained growth, considering the relatively small total population size. Delphine Durette-Morin from the Canadian Whale Institute echoed the sentiment, highlighting the necessity for a consistent increase in calf births over several years to reverse the declining trend in the species.
The North Atlantic right whales have been observed moving northward, with detections in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the first time this year. Researchers remain hopeful and vigilant, aiming to monitor and protect these newborn calves as they navigate their critical habitats and migration routes.