First North Atlantic right whale calf of the season struck by vessel

On January 10th, 2024, NOAA announced that there was an injured North Atlantic right whale calf off Edisto, South Carolina. The calf was seen on January 3, 2024, and videos shared by the public showed several propeller wounds on the head, mouth, and left lip of the calf which was consistent of a vessel strike and the calf will likely die as a result.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and New England Aquarium used the videos collected by the public to identify the whales as Juno #1612, the first documented mother of this calving season, and her calf which was first seen on November 28th, 2023, off Georgetown, South Carolina. At this time, it’s unknown if Juno is also injured.

IFAW is dismayed at the news of a North Atlantic right whale calf being struck by a vessel. This likely death, among the many others due to vessel strikes are preventable. Reducing vessel speeds is the leading approach to reduce the threat of vessel strikes. Globally accepted research shows that slowing vessel speeds to 10 knots reduces a whale’s risk of death from vessel strikes by 80%-90%. 

“Blunt force trauma, lacerations, and death are likely outcomes of a collision with a vessel,” said Dr. Sarah Sharp, Animal Rescue Veterinarian, IFAW. “Vessels of all sizes are at risk of harming the critically endangered right whale.” 

“This likely death of this critically endangered calf is utterly tragic, but completely avoidable. Collisions with vessels are one of the leading causes of death for the North Atlantic right whale.” said Kathleen Collins, Senior Campaign Manager, IFAW. “Being aware while on the water and slowing vessels down when whales are in the area is the best way to save this critically endangered species.” 

In 2022, NOAA proposed updates to the 16-year-old rule to reduce death and serious injury to right whales. These updates broaden the vessels included under speed restrictions from just ships (65 feet and greater) to all vessels 35 feet and greater. This is because since the rule was originally enacted, approximately 40% of known strikes have involved vessels in this smaller size class. It is critical that this new rule is put into force to help save this species from extinction. 

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Background facts: 

• Since 2017, 18 right whales, or about 5% of the population, are known to have been struck by vessels. The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium released its official population estimate of 356 individuals in October 2023 and is at risk of functional extinction over the next 12-15 years. 
• Since the Unusual Mortality Event in 2017, there have been 36 documented right whale deaths, and a further 85 serious injuries. Research suggests only 1/3 or right whale deaths are documented, meaning these figures are likely much larger. In this same period, there were only 69 births and at least four calves died in the same season they were born. 
• 15.7 calves were born on average each year between the years of 2007 and 2022. 
• 9.7 calves were born on average each year since the Unusual Mortality Event that was declared in 2017. 
• Researchers estimate that there are less than 70 reproductive females left in the population. 
• Pregnant North Atlantic right whales travel to waters off the southeast of the US (NC, SC, GA, northern FL) to give birth to calves. From 2020 to 2022, these areas had some of the lowest rates of compliance with mandatory and voluntary vessel speeds for vessels over 65 feet. 
• North Atlantic right whale mother-calf pairs migrate from Southeast waters up to the Northeast feeding grounds, passing through heavily industrialized waters that are home to busy shipping lanes, as well as commercial pot/trap lobster and snow crab fisheries that pose the risk of entanglement. 
• IFAW-led research revealed that between 2003 and 2018, 88.4% of determinable North Atlantic right whale deaths were caused by vessel strikes and entanglement 
• Right whales, especially mother-calf pairs spend a majority of their time traveling near the surface and their slow movement and dark color combined with the ocean’s dark hues and waves make them difficult to detect, increasing the risk for collision as they migrate between Canada and central Florida.