New Smyrna Beach Florida: Home to Migratory Whale Sightings

On a visit to the Indian River Lagoon, via the boat ramp next to the Marine Discovery Center, I saw two signs about the endangered right whale. When I think of whale sightings, I envision windswept, stormy mountainous beach fronts, coastal villages in Maine perhaps or New England, Cape Cod, even the North Shore of Long Island. But whale sightings in Florida?

At the boat ramp on theNorth Causeway in New Smyrna Beach, the signs are extremely educational. They tell about the Right Whale, and what to look for in the water in regard to fin shape and size. During the winter months, the endangered Right Whale comes to the sunshine state to birth their calves in the calving area on the Atlantic side of Florida. Right Whale sightings are common during the months of December through March; from Cape Canaveral, to New Smyrna Beach and farther up the coast.

These are amazing creatures, who love the warm waters of Florida as much as other oceanic life, including the Florida manatee and bottle-nose dolphin. They are a protected species. Only a little over three hundred remain. Like the manatee, they can often become scarred by big boats, and scientists track specific whales often by the scar marks on their blubber alone. Commercial fishermen are a big problem, pollution too.

In New Smyrna Beach, the water is tested along the coastline on a daily basis. Red tide has been a problem for some of the right whales, for there is a toxin in red tide that is bothersome to humans, but lethal to marine life. If the whales are not killed off by the big ships and boats, various bacteria including red tide can become a problem, especially since the Right Whale swims close to the shoreline.

It is mandatory that boaters report any entangled or injured whales to the proper authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, via VHF Channel 16. Any Right Whale sightings should also be reported in general. Amateur whale watchers sometimes watch these whales, and follow their patterns of migration. Professional scientists track the whales each year as well, and make sure their populations are not dwindling.

If boaters come into close contact with a Right Whale, they are to operate their vessels at slow speed. It is recommended that vessels stay at least five hundred feet away from the whales, and move if the whales swim in the direction of the boat. Alert other boaters to their presence.

Identifying the Right Whale is easy, if you get a good look at the tail. They grow to about fifty-five feet. If a boater spots the whale during any one of the months of its expected migration to New Smyrna Beach, look for no dorsal fin, a blunt tale, a white striped tail, V-shaped or wing shaped tale, and then keep a safe distance away. If humans respect these endangered creatures, they will be around for future generations to enjoy and study as well.

Sources:
Marine Discovery Center