A rare sight has been witnessed in the busy waters of the New York Harbor: a North Atlantic right whale mother and her calf. This sighting has sparked both excitement and concern among researchers and conservationists.
The mother, known as "Accordion" due to propeller scars on her back, was previously struck by a boat. This incident highlights the dangers these critically endangered whales face in heavily trafficked areas.
NOAA, along with environmental groups and whale watching companies, are urging vessel operators to reduce speed to avoid collisions with the mother and calf. "We are absolutely thrilled to hear of any births. They are critically endangered and there's only about 370 North Atlantic right whales left, of which we estimate only 70 are reproductively active females. (It's) so very exciting to get a birth," said Nora Ives, a scientist with OCEANA.
However, the presence of the calf in such a busy port raises serious concerns. "That is extremely worrying. These whales are super hard to see. They're dark, they're slow, they swim near the surface, they don't have a dorsal fin. That's why it is extremely important to go slow for whales below," Ives added.
The mother and calf were spotted within a Seasonal Management Area (SMA), where vessels over 65 feet are required to travel at 10 knots or less. While NOAA proposed expanding the SMAs in 2022, the proposal was withdrawn after public feedback.
The calf's presence so far north at this time of year is unusual, as right whales typically calve in the Southeast. This sighting underscores the need for heightened vigilance and conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable creatures.