To: Journey North
From: Anne Smrcina,
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
The first humpback whale was spotted two weeks ago on April 11th! A couple of humpback whales were seen on the 22nd in the Cape Cod Bay/Massachusetts Bay area. According to Marilyn Marx, they appeared to be small juveniles. Also, a 26 foot male (approximately 14 months old) washed up dead along a beach in Provincetown -- cause of death has not yet been determined.
In addition to these whales, Marilyn reports that many fin whales, minke whales, white-sided dolpins, harbor porpoises, and harbor seals have been seen in the Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank area.
I've also just received word from Hawaii that the humpbacks are on the move there too. As of a couple of weeks ago they were seeing upwards of 17 whales per day. Now they're lucky to get a single sighting, and most of these are farther out into open water. The Hawaiian whales are on their way up to the rich fishing waters off the coast of Alaska.
Here's a note from one of your Journey North colleagues which I thought you'd enjoy:
"My name is Alex Billow and I am a Computer teacher at J William Leary Jr High School in Massena, New York--way up north on the Canadian border. I'm writing to tell you of a "real meeting" with our whale expert which will take place, Friday April 26 in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
"Our school is sending 191 students to Boston on a Field trip. One of their stops will be for a WhaleWatch from Plymouth. I E-mailed Anne Smrcina, our whale expert at the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, about our visit with hopes of meeting our Electronic friend at the "other end of the wire". She agreed to go out with our group on a Watch. We are so excited about this great experience for our kids!" Alex Billow billow@Aldus.NorthNet.org
Until next week, this is Anne Smrcina signing off. I'll start answering your questions in next week's report.
The Next Humpback Whale Migration Update Will be Posted on May 1, 1996
 |
|
|---|
