Report card on North Atlantic right whales released

2011-2012 Right Whale Report Card Number of Right Whales In 2011, the best estimate of catalogued North Atlantic right whales was 509 individuals. This "best estimate" is based upon the number of photographed whales, but it excludes potential unphotographed whales and therefore should not be considered a "population estimate." Thirty whales were added to the catalogue since last year. Reproduction 7 calves were born in 2012, with mothers reproducing on average every 5.4 years. There were two first-time mothers. Calves are not added to the catalogue until they are re-sighted with a developed callosity. Mortalities Between November 1, 2011 and October 31, 2012, there were three documented instances of right whale mortality: one off Cape Cod, one off Florida and one in Nova Scotian waters. Entanglements and Entrapments There were 12 active entanglement or entrapment cases reported between November 1, 2011 and October 31, 2012. Of these, 7 were new cases and one resulted in a mortality. Vessel Strikes Three right whales were sighted with new propeller wounds between November 1, 2011 and October 31, 2012.