The first North Atlantic right whale calves of the 2022–2023 calving season were seen in early December off the coast of Georgia. Mothers and calves swim close to the surface, making them especially vulnerable to vessel strikes. Vessel strikes and entanglements are the leading causes of the species’ ongoing Unusual Mortality Event (UME): https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/2017-2022-north-atlantic-right-whale-unusual-mortality-event. You can help save endangered North Atlantic right whales by slowing down to 10 knots or less in waters where they are likely present. https://whalemap.org/whalemap.html Learn more https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/north-atlantic-right-whale#road-recovery Link in bio. #WhaleWednesday #whales #northatlanticrightwhales