North Atlantic right whale experts on both sides of the border express cautious optimism following an increase in the number of new calves born this year. A total of twenty-three calves were welcomed during the calving season from November to April off the southeastern U.S., 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, emphasizing the need for their survival into adulthood to contribute to the species’ population.
The North Atlantic right whales are classified as critically endangered, with only 380 remaining globally as per the latest official estimate from 2024. While around 20 new calves were born annually two to three decades ago, the numbers have dwindled over the past decade, averaging between 10 to 15 births. In 2018, no calves were reported. The rebound in calf numbers this year is a positive development, yet sustained growth is crucial to offset previous low calving rates.
The reasons behind the surge in calf births this year remain uncertain, although the health of the mothers plays a significant role, influenced by factors such as food availability. North Atlantic right whales predominantly feed on specific plankton species, with shifting food sources due to climate change posing challenges. With limited food resources in their calving habitats off Florida and Georgia, mothers must accumulate sufficient fat reserves to sustain themselves during the calving and nursing periods without feeding.
Various human-induced stressors including ocean noise, vessel traffic, ship collisions, and entanglement in fishing gear also impact the well-being of North Atlantic right whales. Conservation efforts in Canadian and U.S. waters have been implemented in recent years, including fishery closures and restrictions on marine vessel speeds to protect the whales.
Noteworthy this year is the shorter time gap between some mothers giving birth to their previous offspring and the current calves, indicating improved reproductive success. While healthy right whales typically birth calves every three to four years, some females previously experienced extended intervals between births, up to a decade in some cases. The presence of first-time mothers like Callosity Back, aged 20, and experienced mothers like Ghost and Juno, aged at least 40, signals positive reproductive trends.
Despite the positive news of 23 new calves, Warren stresses the importance of sustained population growth for the North Atlantic right whales, emphasizing the existing small population size. Delphine Durette-Morin from the Canadian Whale Institute views the recent surge in calf births as encouraging but highlights the need for consistent annual births of around 50 calves to reverse the species’ decline. The whales’ northward movement, with sightings in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the first time this year, offers hope for their continued presence and protection.
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