NOAA Fisheries Division has issued an alert to all North Atlantic cruisers to keep a sharp lookout for the Right Whale as the “calving” birthing season continues. The season lasts from mid November to mid April while pregnant females migrate from the feeding grounds off Canada and New England to the warm waters of South Carolina, Georgia and northeastern Florida.

Numbering only 300 in the world, the North Atlantic Right Whale is the most endangered marine mammal and even the loss of one would have a serious effect on the population.

The biggest threat to the right whale is collision with yachts and entanglement with fishing apparatus. They inhabit coastal waters close to shore, have a dark dappled body and no dorsal fin making them difficult to see.

NOAA reminds mariners that it is illegal to approach any right whale within 500 yards.

NOAA has recommended cruisers in this area study the directional charts available on the website for the areas where mariners are least likely to encounter these mammals.

http://www.noaa.gov/whales/