Earlier this week, Heather MacAulay and her spouse, Chris Murphy, were taken aback when they received a call about an unusual sighting in the waters near Blackhead Cove in Conception Bay North.
MacAulay characterized the creature as a “large misshapen something” gliding through the water, featuring a vertical tail that showed signs of injury. She was bewildered by its distinct appearance.
“As soon as we laid eyes on it, we all became deeply engaged… Whenever you encounter something for the first time, you naturally become invested,” MacAulay shared with Paula Gale, the host and producer of CBC Radio’s The Broadcast.
It turns out they encountered a rare North Atlantic right whale—a critically endangered species with an estimated population of only 384 individuals.
MacAulay mentioned that her neighbor, Alex Cole, who is affiliated with the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Atlantic Right Whale Project, was the one to verify the sighting. She added that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) also confirmed that the whale was indeed a right whale.
The DFO utilized the whale’s markings to identify it. It is believed to be the calf of Checkmark 3705, a right whale first observed in Florida last year with its calf.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) also validated the sighting of the whale as the calf of Checkmark 3705, which was initially seen in Florida with the calf last year.
Cole expressed her excitement upon viewing the footage that MacAulay captured of the whale. She emphasized to MacAulay how extraordinary the experience was.
“Seeing one of these whales is genuinely a remarkable event,” Cole remarked.
Videographers Heather MacAulay and Chris Murphy captured a remarkable moment on Sept. 1 when they spotted a North Atlantic right whale off the coast of Blackhead Cove, N.L. Despite being critically endangered, there are hopeful signs indicating the population may be stabilizing.
MacAulay shared that she and Murphy, who reside in Nova Scotia but have a summer home in Blackhead, have become fascinated with right whales. She learned from the DFO that the whale had also been sighted earlier this year in Massachusetts.
While the right whale lingered in Blackhead, Broad Cove on Sept. 1, MacAulay had not seen it again by the time of her interview with CBC on Sept. 3.
“We are scouring social media to track its whereabouts, hoping for another sighting to study it further,” MacAulay said.
Regarding sightings of the species in Newfoundland and Labrador, Cole noted that it is not uncommon to observe right whales off the island’s eastern coast. Sightings of one or two occur every few years, but this type of whale frequently visits the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, she added.
What factors are affecting the right whale population?
Cole noted that although there was a population decline around 2010, it appears to have stabilized, with no significant decreases or increases. Each time a right whale is spotted, she considers it a positive development and essential for researchers to understand which waters the whales are utilizing.
“Whenever you see a whale, regardless of whether it’s a right whale, report the sighting… this greatly aids in the recovery of the species,” Cole urged.
A DFO representative informed CBC Prince Edward Island that while the right whale population is not experiencing rapid growth, the birth of calves this year is an optimistic sign, and if this trend continues over the next decade, the species could be in “good condition.”
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‘Did you see it?’ Get a rare look at a North Atlantic right whale off N.L.
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There were concerns that the whale sighting might lead to a fishing ban in the area, but the DFO stated in a written statement that the sighting did not necessitate such an action and urged fishermen to proceed with care.
Cole indicated that the primary threats to the right whale population include entanglements in nets and vessel collisions, with mortality attributed to both being roughly equal.
MacAulay observed damage to the right whale’s tail. She mentioned that it could possibly be a shark bite, but Cole believes it resulted from an encounter with a vessel.
Cole pointed out that there is fishing technology designed to protect whales, and her team has been researching this gear for years to ensure its effectiveness. She advocates for its adoption to enhance the safety of all whale species.
“Currently, we are still working towards broader implementation, but this is a pressing reality,” Cole stated.
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