Clik here to view.
By Brian Foster, Georgia Conservancy
With fewer than 370 North Atlantic right whales remaining, including just 70 breeding females, this species is on the brink of extinction. Once abundant along the Atlantic coastline, these whales now face an uncertain future due to ship strikes, entanglements in fishing gear, and habitat loss.
Each winter, right whales migrate thousands of miles from the cold waters of Canada and New England to Georgia’s coast—the only known calving ground in the world. Here, mothers give birth and nurse their young, seeking the safety of coastal waters. However, these waters present their own dangers, with busy shipping lanes and high-speed vessels creating significant risks.
Clik here to view.
Ship strikes are one of the most serious threats to North Atlantic right whales. Because these whales swim slowly near the surface and lack a dorsal fin, they are difficult for vessel operators to see. Their dark bodies often blend with the ocean, making it challenging for ships to avoid them. Unfortunately, a single collision with a vessel can be fatal, particularly for pregnant females and newborn calves.
Regulations to reduce the number of these dangerous interactions have failed to gain traction in Washington. In January 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) withdrew a proposed rule that would limit the speed of vessels under 65 feet in active North Atlantic right whale corridors. The Georgia Conservancy is disappointed with this decision.
From our May 2024 comment letter to President Biden: “If we consider survival of this species a priority, it is clear that the 2008 vessel speed rule must be strengthened to encompass broader seasonal areas and an expanded size class of vessels. With the alarming number of right whales already killed by vessel strikes this year, more effective protections are needed now.”
While it is unlikely that the Trump Administration will revive the proposed rule change, the Georgia Conservancy will continue its efforts to raise awareness and mitigate risks to these vulnerable whales. The heart of this endeavor is two-fold: the creation of educational marina signage and the deployment of a real-time warning system along Georgia’s coast.
Our Go Slow, Whales Below marina signage is specifically designed to catch the attention of boaters and alert them to reduce their speeds during the North Atlantic right whale calving season. The signs have been strategically installed in multiple marinas along the Georgia coast – deliberately selected for their high concentration of offshore boating activities, aiming to enforce a culture of responsible boating.
To further efforts to reduce ship strikes, the Georgia Conservancy is leading a groundbreaking effort to install seven AIS (Automatic Identification System) beacons along the Georgia coast. These state-of-the-art alert stations will provide real-time warnings to ships and boats whenever North Atlantic right whales are detected in the area, helping captains to take immediate action to prevent collisions. These AIS stations provide real-time data, enabling vessels to:
- Detect whale movements early and adjust their speed accordingly.
- Reduce the likelihood of collisions by allowing ships to navigate more cautiously.
- Enhance conservation efforts by creating a connected network of monitoring systems along the whales’ migration route.
AIS beacons have been successfully used in other regions to reduce ship strikes and improve maritime awareness. While New England has a well-established network of AIS stations for whale conservation, Georgia’s waters remain largely unprotected. Expanding this technology to the Southeast could significantly increase right whale survival rate.
Learn more about Georgia Conservancy efforts to expand the network of AIS beacons and support our efforts to help make this expansion a reality.
Conservation efforts to protect the North Atlantic right whale require a combination of science, technology, and policy changes. AIS technology represents a significant advancement in preventing ship strikes, but it is just one piece of the puzzle. Other ongoing efforts include:
- Advocating for seasonal speed restrictions in critical whale habitats.
- Encouraging the adoption of ropeless fishing gear to prevent entanglements. Learn more.
By integrating technology with policy and public awareness, Georgia Conservancy is taking meaningful steps toward creating safer waters for North Atlantic right whales. While challenges remain, the use of AIS beacons offers a practical, science-backed solution that can help reduce preventable whale deaths and support population recovery.
As conservation efforts continue, Georgia’s coastal waters could become a model for how technology and environmental stewardship can work together to protect endangered wildlife.
Click here to learn more about the Georgia Conservancy and our mission to protect Georgia through ecological and economic solutions for stewardship, conservation, and sustainable use of the land and its resources.
This is sponsored content.
The post Ship Strikes Threaten The Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale appeared first on SaportaReport.