Rare right whale, newborn calf spotted off Brevard County

An endangered whale species was spotted off the coast of Brevard County, and marine scientists are warning boaters to keep an eye out.A North Atlantic right whale and her newborn calf were spotted near the shoreline Dec. 17. The whales can be difficult to see, despite being about the size of a school bus.“We want to protect them at this vulnerable time,” Oceana marine scientist Nora Ives said. “They’re really hard to see. They don’t have a dorsal fin. Mom and calf hang out at the surface while the baby learns to breathe and they’re nursing. So, if you’re on the water, go slow and keep an eye out for those below.”There are only about 380 North Atlantic right whales left.“This sighting is really interesting and important for the public to know about because it was sighted south of the seasonal management area, which is a slow zone put in place while these whales are migrating,” Ives said. “They’re actually outside of the protected slow zone.”If you spot one of these whales, Oceana asks that you call 877-WHALE-HELP.“Because they’re critically endangered, it is illegal to approach them within 500 yards,” Ives said. “That being said, if you go to the beach this weekend, bring a pair of binoculars. You might be lucky enough to see them from shore.”

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. —

An endangered whale species was spotted off the coast of Brevard County, and marine scientists are warning boaters to keep an eye out.

A North Atlantic right whale and her newborn calf were spotted near the shoreline Dec. 17. The whales can be difficult to see, despite being about the size of a school bus.

“We want to protect them at this vulnerable time,” Oceana marine scientist Nora Ives said. “They’re really hard to see. They don’t have a dorsal fin. Mom and calf hang out at the surface while the baby learns to breathe and they’re nursing. So, if you’re on the water, go slow and keep an eye out for those below.”

There are only about 380 North Atlantic right whales left.

“This sighting is really interesting and important for the public to know about because it was sighted south of the seasonal management area, which is a slow zone put in place while these whales are migrating,” Ives said. “They’re actually outside of the protected slow zone.”

If you spot one of these whales, Oceana asks that you call 877-WHALE-HELP.

“Because they’re critically endangered, it is illegal to approach them within 500 yards,” Ives said. “That being said, if you go to the beach this weekend, bring a pair of binoculars. You might be lucky enough to see them from shore.”