When it comes to conserving North Atlantic right whales, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute has collaborated with Georgia DNR for over 20 years, conducting aerial surveys each winter for these critically endangered whales on their only known calving grounds – the waters off Georgia, north Florida and the Carolinas.
But while you’re probably familiar with the results of these surveys — most new moms and calves are first spotted by the aerial team — here are some cool things you may not know about this work.
CMARI right whale aerial observers, from left, Arianna Torello, Melanie White and Bridget Ausley (CMARI/NOAA permit 26919)
First, there are clear objectives for surveys by plane. They include:
- Collecting right whale photo-identification data to help monitor population demographics.
- Reducing vessel collisions with whales by providing mariners real-time data on right whale sightings.
- Documenting dead, injured and entangled right whales.
- Helping with efforts to disentangle whales from commercial fishing gear and recover whale carcasses.
- Supporting boat-based work to obtain ID photos, genetic samples and other research.
As of Jan. 10, the Clearwater team had flown 20 surveys this winter calving season. Flight time per survey averaged almost 5.5 hours; the average distance covered, nearly 465 nautical miles. (Nautical miles are slightly longer than land miles because they’re based on the Earth’s curved surface for navigation.)
All told, the crew has been in the air for over 109 hours – or 4.5 days – and flown 9,295 nautical miles, a distance that, in a straight line, would reach more than 40 percent of the way around the world.
CMARI’s Bridget Ausley snaps shots during a whale survey flight (CMARI/NOAA permit 26919)
Team members have documented 53 right whale sightings, including 14 new calves, 36 mom/calf pairs – counting repeat sightings — and 102 individual whales (repeats included). And while other partners helping conserve North Atlantic right whales have also added sightings of mom-and-calf pairs this winter, just last Friday the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute team spotted the season’s 19th calf (and the crew’s 15th) about 9 miles off Amelia Island, Fla.
When we say “team,” here’s who we’re talking about:
- Observers Melanie White (lead), Bridget Ausley and Ari Torello.
- Pilots Bill Bellatty and Layne Timidaiski.
- Honorary member, Murray (Bill’s dog).
The surveys require intense concentration over long hours. But they also have their light side.
Every time a new whale is seen, the members remember it with a song. For example, Melanie’s favorite whale — No. 1243 in the North Atlantic right whale catalog — is nicknamed Magic. So when this adult female turns up, Bridget always thinks of “Magic” by the band Pilot.
At the end of the season, Ari plans to burn everybody a copy of the complete mixtape as a keepsake!
Right whale catalog No. 1243, nicknamed Magic (you know), and calf spotted by plane off Amelia Island, Fla., on Jan. 16 (CMARI/NOAA 26919)
A few more fun facts about the team:
- Best plane snacks: string cheese (Ari), Melanie’s strawberries (Layne), Cheez-Its (Bridget), fruit (Melanie and Bill).
- Top in-plane conversation topics: Bill’s stories from the military (Ari), whales (Layne), making fun of Ari (Bill), anything food-related (Melanie).
- Favorite survey tracklines: Line 22/Cumberland Island, where we can see whales and horses! (Ari and Layne); lines 17-18/St. Simons and Jekyll islands (Bridget), Line 11/Sapelo Island (Melanie), the first line of the day! (Bill).
- Favorite whales: No. 3157 “Cascade” (Ari), 3946 “Calamari” (Layne), 2642 “Echo” (Bridget), the next new calf (Bill), 1243 “Magic” (Melanie).
- Most memorable survey moment: (Ari) Taking photos of my favorite whale Cascade’s new calf on my first day in the photo seat!
Stay tuned as the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute aerial team, DNR and other conservation partners keep watch over North Atlantic right whales this calving season.