Volunteers Needed for Daytona Beach Whales

The endangered North Atlantic right whales have arrived at their winter calving grounds off the coasts of Florida and Georgia. That means volunteers are needed. Whale spotters along the coast keep an eye out to relay critical whale-sighting information to scientists. Marine mammal scientists track new calves and alert ships to whale sightings to try to prevent collisions that prove deadly to the whales.

The whales begin arriving from their summer feeding grounds in the Bay of Fundy each year in December. They'll remain in the area until March or April. Right whales are identified by the rough, white patches of skin on their heads called callosities. They have v-shaped blows and often can be seen very close to shore.

It is believed there are fewer than 400 right whales left in existence. They were once hunted to near-extinction before the International Whaling Commission banned hunting them in 1949.

The marine council's whale monitoring program has operated since 1995 and coordinates a volunteer sighting network with more than 700 volunteers. The council has collaborated with Marineland's Right Whale Project for the past nine years.

While volunteers are trained to identify whales and report sightings, anyone can call the hot line at 888-979-4253 (888-97-WHALE) to report a whale sighting. Sightings are verified and passed to commercial and military ships. Remember, though, it is illegal to be within 500 yards of a right whale.

To volunteer between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, contact Marineland at marinelandrightwhale@gmail.com or 904-461-4058. To volunteer south of Daytona Beach or for additional information, call the right whalehot line.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com