Sea Island Life Magazine Fall/Winter 2014 | Page 39

A WHALE TALE

TOP PHOTO BY FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION, NOAA RESEARCH PERMIT NO. 15488;
BOTTOM PHOTO BY GEORGIA DNR UNDER NOAA PERMIT NO. 15488

LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF WILDLIFE TRUST, NOAA PERMIT NO. 594-1759

Distinguishing features of right whales include patterns of white crustaceans, called whale lice,
that dot the animals’ heads; the lack of a dorsal fin; two rows of baleen plates that hang from their
upper jaw; and a strongly bowed lower lip.

Clay Fordham, Sea Island Yacht Club captain, describes his most memorable North
American right whale encounter.
“The most memorable experience I’ve ever
had was when I carried a couple of teenagers
out for Sheepshead fishing about 17 miles
offshore. I was anchored up, and we were
actively fishing when a mama right whale
and her calf surfaced about 20 to 30 yards
from the boat. It nearly scared me to death!
“You’re not supposed to be within 500
yards of them, so the first thing that crossed
my mind was that we were too close to these
animals, and I didn’t want to get turned over.
The kids had obviously never seen anything
like it. These whales were massive. The adult
was about twice the length of my [27-foot]
boat. I just had to stand there for a minute to
look at them and gather my thoughts. I pulled
anchor and backed off of them, and then I
called the Georgia Department of Resources
to let them know their location. It was a really
cool experience because I’ve never been that
close to one before or since.”

species, with total population estimates of
400 to 450. The continued risk of extinction
for the whales is real. Despite the Endangered
Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection
Act prohibiting the hunting of right whales,
there are still numerous threats that impact
the species’ population today. Chief among
them are ship strikes, due to the whales’
preference for coastal areas with heavy ship-

circles to address these issues. The East Coast
has ship speed zones that remain active during the right whales’ migratory season, from
Nov. 15 to April 15. During that time, ships
measuring more than 65 feet are limited to
speeds of 10 knots or less, which has lowered
the chance of collision from an average of
one per year to just one in the last six years.
There’s also a federal law prohibiting boaters
from approaching within 500 yards of right
whales, but the regulation has sparked debate.
“On one hand, we want people to be educated and appreciate these whales,” George
that when they can’t legally approach and see
these animals. That has created a Catch-22
regarding right whale education, outreach and
conservation in Georgia.”
Sightings that have occurred since the law
was made have been spontaneous accidents.

North Atlantic right whales are among the most endangered species in the world.

George recalls seasons in which more than
100 right whales have been sighted several
miles offshore in the Southeast. Most people
who witness the animals in their natural habilike the ones offered by the Sea Island Yacht
Club. He urges anyone who spends time in
Georgia’s coastal waters to drive slowly, be on
the lookout for right whales, give them space
and report sightings to the Georgia DNR as
soon as possible.

Fordham describes seeing a North Atlantic
right whale as one of the most awe-inspiring
experiences of his life. “Whales are the largest
animals in the world,” he says. “And there’s
just something majestic about them. I tend to
take a lot of the things I see on a daily basis …
for granted. But the right whales are special,
because there aren’t many left. Seeing whales
in an aquarium is one thing, but seeing them
in their natural habitat is another. It’s just
something you don’t get to see every day.”

FALL/WINTER 2014/15 | SEA ISL AND LIFE 39

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