U.S. researchers find wintering ground for rare right whales

U.S. researchers believe they have identified a wintering ground forthe North Atlantic right whale, anendangered species.

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSCA ) announced Wednesday that air searches had spotted many more of the whales than usual in the Gulf of Maine,about 110 to 130 kilometres from the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts.

A plane crew spotted 44 in one location on Dec. 3 and 41 at anotherarea on Dec. 14, the centre said in a news release.

"Were excited because seeing 44 right whales together in the Gulf of Maine is a record for the winter months, when daily observations ofthree orfive animals are much more common," said Tim Cole, who heads the NEFSCA team.

The total North Atlantic right whale population is estimated at just 325 animals. There are two other groups, one in the the North Pacific and one in the southern hemisphere.

Where the whales go in winter is a mystery because of thedifficulties facing aerial surveys covering huge areas in bad weather.

Whileabout 100females and calves are typically counted and recognized each year on their only known calving grounds, off Florida and Georgia, the location of the rest of the whales has been a mystery.

"We dont know much about where these other whales spend the winter or breed, but we have recently started to look in the Gulf of Maine in winter," said team member Pete Duley.

The NEFSCA teamdeveloped an aerial grid system to allow consistent surveys. They now know that the whales tend to congregate in certain areas, and follow thecirculation system of the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank,said Cole. They move north as the weather warms,reaching the Bay of Fundy in mid-summer.

NEFSCA, part of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,does scientific research.