Southeastern United States. The hydrological and
meteorological elements in coastal waters off Georgia
and northeastern Florida provide favorable conditions
for right whale calving. This area is the only known
right whale calving grounds. The Georgia coastline,
between Savannah River on the north and St. Mary's
River on ~he south, is partly submerged at flood
tide, and is broken by tidal rivers and marshes
covered with dense grass. Beaches are sandy and flat.
The coastline of Florida is a long, Iow-profile
barrier beach where aids to navigation mark all
critical dangers. Loran C and differential GPS
provide excellent coverage. Radar navigation is of
less assistance due to the low topography. The water
is generally clear. Severe storms including
hurricanes are common. Visibility is generally
excellent, with light winds and attendant low sea
state. In winter, early morning coastal fog is
common, limiting visibility until the fog lifts with
the rising sun. Winter storms are common and move
quickly through the region.
.2 Characteristics of ship traffic
.1
Northeastern United States. There is a variety of
ship traffic operating in the proposed mandatory ship
reporting area in the northeastern United States and
the amount is relatively high. This includes fishing
vessels, recreational vessels, and commercial
traffic. Major shipping lanes exist in this area such
as the Boston Harbor TSS, the Great South Channel,
and the traffic lanes to transit north to the Bay of
Fundy, Canada.
.2
Southeastern United States. There is also a
variety of ship traffic operating in the area
proposed for the mandatory ship reporting system in
the southeastern United States such as fishing
vessels, military vessels, and commercial traffic.
Shipping lanes cross the area and include those into
the several area ports.
.3 Environmental characteristics
.1
Right whales aggregate to feed or calve in five
seasonal habitats along the eastern seaboard from
Florida to Nova Scotia: (a) off the southeastern
United States, (b) in the Great South Channel,
Massachusetts; (c) in Massachusetts and Cape Cod
Bays, Massachusetts; (d) in the lower Bay of Fundy,
Canada; and (e) over the southern Nova Scotian shelf.
Canada (notably those areas referred to as Browns
Bank and Roseway Basin). Portions of these areas have
been designated as "critical habitat" for
northern right whales or as a national marine
sanctuary under United States domestic law and as
conservation areas under Canadian law. Right whale
sightings also occur outside these areas. The whales
migrate between southeastern and northeastern United
States; however, there is not enough information on
occurrence of whales and shipping traffic to
establish a system to cpver this entire area. Little
is known about the migratory corridor, but it is
believed that migrating whales, in particular mothers
and calves, remain within 20 miles of the coast.
.2
Description of northern right whale. Northern
right whales reach lengths of 45 to 55 feet and are
black in color. The best field identification marks
are a broad back with no dorsal fin, irregular bumpy
white patches (callosities) on the head. and a
distinctive two-column y-shaped blow. They have
paddle-like flippers nearly as wide as they are long,
and a broad, deeply notched tail. Right whales are
slow moving, with occasional speeds of up to only 5-6
knots. They are often difficult to spot in rough seas
and at night due to their low profile and dark
coloration.
