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Northern Right Whale Sighting First in Northeast Waters in Years, says DFO Expert

Sep 20, 2019 | 8:19 AM

(File photo, 2019.)

A northern right whale spotted off the Bonavista Peninsula is causing great excitement among whale researchers.

DFO’s Dr. Jack Lawson says Eric Abbott caught some amazing photos from shore of the creature skim feeding off Red Point Head.

While no temporary measures have been implemented that will affect fish harvesters in the area, they have been put on alert.

Lawson says it’s the first northern right whale on the northeast coast in many years.

Dr. Lawson says a search is underway to try to locate the animal today and get more information on it.

Eric Abbot sent us amazing imagery of a north Atlantic right whale skim feeding close to shore in Bonavista! This is RARE here; DFO will try to get images to compare with the right whale catalogue + ascertain whether there are other right whales in the area. Take care boaters! pic.twitter.com/jE2GZTdNVC

— Dr. Jack Lawson (@drjwlawson) September 19, 2019

An aircraft conducted a search last night and a twin otter is in the air today to try to gather more information including whether the animal is alone. There are hints that it may be a whale known as “Mogul” but they need better photographs to confirm that.

The northern right whale, an endangered species, has suffered a number of losses in recent years due to boat strikes and net entanglements in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The animals feed at the surface, making them vulnerable to injury in busy shipping lanes.

Here is a head-on image of the north Atlantic right whale skim feeding close to shore in Bonavista by Eric Abbott. See how the baleen has a gap in the front to allow a continuous stream of water + food to stream into its mouth. Take care boaters as this whale may be distracted! pic.twitter.com/VQQCr4NVC4

— Dr. Jack Lawson (@drjwlawson) September 19, 2019

Lawson encourages boaters to take care as the whale may be distracted.

Anyone who spots a right whale is encouraged to report it to DFO.

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Northern Right Whale Sighting First in Northeast Waters in Years, says DFO Expert

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