Press Release: 2025-01-17
More than 75 right whales sighted off the coast of Maine
Twenty percent of North Atlantic right whale population detected
A surface active group of right whales on Jan. 12, 2025. CREDIT: NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM, UNDER NMFS PERMIT #25739
BOSTON, MASS. (Jan. 16, 2025) – Aerial surveys over the Gulf of Maine have detected the presence of dozens of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales this week, triggering a voluntary slow zone for vessels in the area in an effort to prevent vessel strikes. The surveys also documented the presence of fishing gear, which puts those whales at additional risk of entanglement.
**PHOTOS AVAILABLE HERE WITH CREDIT TO NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM**
The aerial survey team from the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium flew over southern Maine waters on Jan. 12 and 13. During the flights, the scientists documented over 75 unique individual right whales, a high number of whales for this area of the ocean in the wintertime. The whales, which represent 20 percent of the population, were seen just off the western edge of Jeffreys Ledge, a raised underwater area along the coast of New Hampshire and Maine that brings whales, fish, and fishers together. Jeffreys Ledge has been an area where right whales have been seen in smaller numbers in the past, typically in the fall.
“From the plane, we could see right whales in all directions: at the surface, swimming, and diving,” said Kate Laemmle, associate research technician in the Anderson Cabot Center who was aboard the aerial survey flights. “Seeing such a high percentage of the population in one place, at one time, was a profound and exciting experience.”
The whales were spread out over 10 miles, with the majority feeding deep below the surface. Among the individual whales sighted were “Millipede” (Catalog #3520), an adult female who had a calf in 2021, and “Loki” (Catalog #3596), an adult of unknown sex who has been seen just six times in 20 years and only in New England waters. The scientists also spotted “Nimbus” (Catalog #3812), a 16-year-old male who was entangled in fishing rope in 2023. The aerial survey observers captured photos of him swimming near active fishing gear during the Jan. 12 flight.
“The last time our aerial survey documented Nimbus, we confirmed that he was free of fishing gear after a disentanglement attempt,” said Orla O’Brien, a research scientist who leads the Aquarium’s aerial surveys. “While it was encouraging to see Nimbus displaying normal behaviors again like feeding, observing him in an area that overlaps with gear raises the risk for future entanglements, which is cause for concern.”
Right whales “Prescott” (Catalog #2271), “Wavy Gravy” (Catalog #1627), and unnamed Catalog #1177 seen near fishing gear on Jan. 12, 2025. CREDIT: NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM, UNDER NMFS PERMIT #25739
The New England Aquarium regularly conducts aerial surveys in southern New England, coastal Maine, and the Gulf of Maine. These flights help monitor changes and recognize trends in where right whales are found.
Determining where right whales occur and how they are using habitats provides crucial information that can be used to promote responsible ocean use. This is particularly important because right whale scientists have been documenting aggregations of right whales in New England waters during times of the year when they are not expected and therefore unprotected.
“Over the past year, we have documented several large right whale aggregations in areas or at times where we didn’t quite expect them. This puts into perspective the dynamic nature of the whales’ movements and highlights the strong need for measures that can reduce the risk of vessel strikes and entanglement,” O’Brien said.
The January right whale sightings triggered the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to initiate a voluntary slow speed zone, called a Dynamic Management Area (DMA), where mariners are requested to reduce their speed to 10 knots to protect the whales. The DMA is in effect until Jan. 28 and is one of several voluntary slow zones currently active from Maine to Virginia in response to right whale sightings.
Around 370 North Atlantic right whales remain in the population, including an estimated 70 breeding females. Vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear pose the top two threats to this critically endangered species, requiring action to advance responsible ocean uses. The New England Aquarium continues to partner with industry and other stakeholders to drive such uses toward ensuring ocean and animal health are maintained, restored, or improved, including the broad-scale adoption of ropeless or “on-demand” gear and weaker ropes.
Warming waters in the northern Atlantic Ocean have led to shifts in right whale habitat use, making the animals more vulnerable to human activities in certain areas. Scientists are monitoring right whale movement along the East Coast, including the presence of newborn calves off Florida and Georgia along with the increased activity in New England waters.
MEDIA CONTACT: Pam Bechtold Snyder—617-686-5068; psnyder@neaq.org