Round 2: Atlantic Coast States Cooperative Planning for Right Whale Recovery Program (2003) - 5 Funded Projects

Project Title

State Agency

Funding Received

Project Summary

Final Report

Marine Mammal Abundance Surveys in the New York Bight and the Mid-Atlantic Region

New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation

$226,545

Conduct aerial surveys to assess the seasonal abundance and distribution of North Atlantic right whales and other endangered cetacean species in the New York Bight and surrounding areas. Contract to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation to conduct the surveys.

Marine Mammal Abundance Survey for North Atlantic Right whales in the New York Bight and the Mid-Atlantic Region

North Atlantic Right Whale Informational Signs for Recreational Mariners

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

$54,500

Improve vessel strike mitigation efforts and improve reporting of entangled whales through the development and strategic posting of educational signs near calving grounds.

Right Whale Informational Signs for Mariners

Maine Recovery Plan

Maine Dept. of Marine Resources

$57,075

Maintain the Recovery Plan's sightings/surveillance and disentanglement network components, and investigate and implement fishing gear modifications.

Maine Right Whale Recovery Plan

Massachusetts Right Whale Conservation Plan

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

$144,046

Maintain and improve the state's right whale conservation program and develop new initiatives for take reduction of whales. The Surveillance and Monitoring Program will continue to survey and monitor for right whales.

Report on 2004 Activities and Action Plan to Protect Northern Right Whales: Implementation of the Commonwealth’s Right Whale Conservation Plan

Using DTAG and Behavioral Observations to Study the Effects of Vessels on Right Whales in the Southeast U.S.

Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources

$125,700

Use behavioral observations via aerial and ship-based surveys as well as non-invasive digital tags (DTAGs) to determine whether or not right whales respond to approaching ships in the Southeast U.S.  Collaborators include Wildlife Trust, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Mote Marine Laboratory.

Using the DTAG and Behavioral Observations to Study the Effects of Vessels on Right Whales in the Southeast United States