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This year's right whale calving season has scientists concerned

An aerial survey team recently spotted nine right whales off the coast of Georgia

Sea to Shore Alliance SOURCE: Sea to Shore Alliance
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This year's right whale calving season has scientists concerned

An aerial survey team recently spotted nine right whales off the coast of Georgia

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service is worried about the current right whale calving season.Officials say an aerial survey team recently spotted nine right whales off the coast of Jekyll Island.That brings the total number to 12 right whales observed off the Georgia and Florida coastlines.But officials say they have yet to see a right whale calf so far this year.Since monitoring efforts began in the mid to late 1980s, officials say there has never been a calving season where zero calves were observed.NOAA says the North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered. Fewer than 500 remain.In the late 1800s, commercial whalers hunted right whales in the Atlantic to the brink of extinction. But while whaling is no longer a threat, human interactions still present the greatest danger to the species.Officials are urging people to stay at least 500 yards away from right whales when out on the water.To track sightings of right whales visit this NOAA website.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service is worried about the current right whale calving season.

Officials say an aerial survey team recently spotted nine right whales off the coast of Jekyll Island.

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That brings the total number to 12 right whales observed off the Georgia and Florida coastlines.

But officials say they have yet to see a right whale calf so far this year.

Since monitoring efforts began in the mid to late 1980s, officials say there has never been a calving season where zero calves were observed.

NOAA says the North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered. Fewer than 500 remain.

In the late 1800s, commercial whalers hunted right whales in the Atlantic to the brink of extinction. But while whaling is no longer a threat, human interactions still present the greatest danger to the species.

Officials are urging people to stay at least 500 yards away from right whales when out on the water.

To track sightings of right whales visit this NOAA website.