Katherine McKenna, a research scientist at the aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, said, "This mid-Atlantic aggregation is a good reminder that the movement patterns of North Atlantic right whales are always responding and adapting to changing ocean conditions..." The unusual gathering highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and research to understand these patterns.
The aggregation of 82 North Atlantic right whales represents nearly a quarter of the entire remaining population, emphasizing the vulnerability of the species. Notably, these whales were seen in feeding grounds that are typically busy with ship traffic.
With fewer than 360 North Atlantic right whales left, the sightings this summer underscore the critical state of the species. These feeding patterns reflect changes in ocean conditions, which are influencing their survival.
Researchers noted that the whales were observed feeding in areas traditionally populated by various marine species. This suggests a complex ecosystem interaction where the presence of multiple species may influence whale behavior.
#north-atlantic-right-whales #endangered-species #marine-research #ocean-conditions #wildlife-monitoring
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