April 8, 2008

Contact:

Dianna Schulte, Research Coordinator
Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation
(603) 431-0260
E-mail: dianna@blueoceansociety.org

PORTSMOUTH - Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation hopes to increase awareness of an often overlooked local whale species this spring and summer with a new project funded by the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment.

The Finback Whale Awareness Project is designed to spread awareness of and appreciation for the finback whale, the area’s most commonly sighted large whale.

“This project is important because, although finback whales are an endangered species and the second largest whale in the world, their presence in local waters often goes unnoticed by whale watchers,” said Blue Ocean Society Research Coordinator Dianna Schulte. At an average length of 60-70 feet, the finback is about the length of two school buses.

The Society plans to increase local knowledge of finback whales by publishing a series of press releases, news articles, informational brochures and a special edition newsletter. Brochures will be available freely to the public and the newsletter will be sent to members and available on local whale watch boats and at the Society’s events this spring and summer.

Relatively little is known about finback whales as compared to the more commonly researched and much smaller, humpback and killer whales.

Speaking of the Society’s finback research program, Schulte said, “We’re trying to learn as much as possible about finback whales as they may be indicators of the ocean’s productivity and health.”

In February, a finback calf washed ashore in Flagler County, Florida. Schulte was working in the area at the time and was asked to assist with the identification of the animal.

Schulte was able to identify the calf’s species based on the asymmetrical coloration of the animal, a characteristic common only to finbacks. “Finbacks are seldom found near Florida and most of the telltale signs of this one’s identity were missing. It wasn’t until the whale was rolled over, exposing a distinct black and white line on the lower jaw, that we could confirm the species of whale,” she said.

This was only the third known stranding of a finback whale in the state, making it a rare event. Finback whale movement and potential migrations are poorly documented and calving grounds are still unknown.

Blue Ocean Society will be receiving a section of the calf’s baleen as well as a vertebra approximately 2 feet wide for use in their educational programs, which involve bringing a life-sized inflatable finback whale to schools.

More information on finback whales, memberships, finback adoptions and educational programs are available on the Society’s website at www.blueoceansociety.org or by calling 603-431-0260.