NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA, Fla. — Aerial survey teams spotted a cataloged whale with a newborn calf on New Year's Eve offshore of Amelia Island, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission.
The adult whale, Catalog #3780, is at least 17 years old and this is her first calf, the agency said. The calf is fewer than three days old.
Survey teams also located Catalog #1802, "Legato," with a calf off Nassau Sound on New Year's Eve. That particular adult whale is 36 years old, with her fifth calf. She last gave birth 13 years ago during the 2011 calving season.
Staff with New England Aquarium Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life manage the right whale catalog, containing photographed sightings of North Atlantic right whales. There are about 780 right whales in the catalog with sightings dating back to 1935. The current living population is estimated to be around 350 whales.
The FWC says boaters are reminded to post a lookout and use caution and to report right whale sightings to 1-877-WHALE-HELP, 877-942-5343.
