Celebrate Right Whales at this Fernandina Beach Festival

Image courtesy of Richard Sagredo via Unsplash

All about Right Whales

North Atlantic right whales are baleen whales, meaning they have bristly baleen teeth used to collect small crustaceans. Right whales can weigh up to 140,000 pounds and grow to 52 feet in length, with a lifespan of up to 70 years. They are easily identifiable by the white calluses on their heads and a lack of a dorsal fin on their backs. These whales are one of the world’s most endangered whale species with only about 400 individuals remaining, which can partially be credited to whale hunting that dates back to the 1890s. 

While whale hunting is no longer the right whale’s biggest threat, life remains difficult and dangerous for this species. Human activity like fishing and vessel strikes play a role in threatening this species, and climate change has altered their migration patterns into areas with increased threats. North Atlantic right whales also communicate through echolocation, so heightened ocean noise contributes to their extinction as man-made sounds create confusion and stress for the whales. Two other species of right whales, the North Pacific right whale and the Southern right whale, exist. Unlike the North Atlantic right whale, these species do not migrate near Florida. 

Helping the North Atlantic Right Whales

Many organizations like the Whale and Dolphin Conservation of North America operate programs to help slow the extinction of North Atlantic right whales. The WDC works to create rules that reduce ship strikes to prevent the likelihood of a ship fatally colliding with a right whale. They have also helped to create federally designated habitats for the whales that span 40,000 square miles of the U.S. East Coast. Some ways you can take action from home include signing petitions to help protect the whales and reaching out to representatives who can help you protect this endangered species. 

Fernandina Beach Right Whale Festival 

The 2021 Right Whale Festival will take place Sunday, November 7th from 10 am to 3 pm. This festival is a celebration highlighting local efforts to protect the whales and honors North Atlantic right whales as they return to the warm coastal waters of northeast Florida and Georgia. Enjoy family fun, ocean-themed activities, and exhibits meant to educate about environmental responsibility. The event offers free admission and many opportunities to learn about how you can help protect the North Atlantic right whales. 

After the festival, stop by Timoti’s in Fernandina Beach to enjoy wild-caught seafood with friends and family.