NOAA Northeast Region Aerial Whale Surveys

North Atlantic Right Whale | credit: NOAA Fisheries

A series of aerial surveys could provide important clues about whale movements off the New England Coast.

NOAA Fisheries scientists and colleagues from state and non-profit organizations conducted aerial surveys in the Northeast region through December 2019.

Additional flights are scheduled to occur in February, 2020.

During upcoming surveys, scientists hope to locate right whales in and near Nantucket Shoals.

Whales have been aggregating in the area recently, according to mariner's reports. NOAA scientists will also survey other areas where right whales were seen in the past.

Two recent aerial surveys used NOAA Twin Otter aircraft. The Northeast center’s aerial whale survey team conducts one based at Air Station Cape Cod.

Center staff and colleagues from other marine research organizations conducted a survey specifically for AMAPPS last fall, based at Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

Related Information

Wildlife in New England