More than 75 critically endangered North Atlantic right whales have gathered off the Massachusetts coast in a busy shipping corridor. Scientists spotted the whales during aerial surveys, some feeding just below the surface.
This puts the animals in direct peril, prompting an urgent call for vessels to slow down. The goal is to reduce the risk of deadly ship strikes, a leading cause of injury and death for the species.
The New England Aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life spotted the whales about 55 miles south of Martha's Vineyard. In response, NOAA Fisheries designated a voluntary slow speed zone in the area.
Mariners are urged to slow to 10 knots or less. A similar, required speed restriction remains in place in the seasonal management area of Cape Cod Bay through May 15.
Researchers say large groups of feeding right whales have been appearing more frequently in the area during spring migrations. The recent gathering is one of the largest they've seen.
During the flights, the team alerted several large commercial ships about the whales' presence. Right whales feed near the surface and are difficult to spot, especially in heavy maritime traffic areas.
Most of the whales observed were adults. On the first flight, the team counted more than 60 whales, with another 15 joining by the second survey.
Researchers were especially happy to spot a well-known female named Calvin. This was the first time Calvin had been seen in almost three years.
Spring is peak season for right whale activity in New England waters, particularly in Cape Cod Bay. As of May 1, the aquarium had identified more than 168 individual right whales since December.
About a third of the whales seen south of the Vineyard were also spotted in January near Jeffreys Ledge off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire. Scientists stress the need for continued collaboration to protect them.