Endangered right whales spotted off Hilton Head. Watch the video
On Jan. 9, a Hilton Head boater was headed out to nearby fishing grounds and found himself carefully navigating through heavy fog before reaching clearer, calm ocean waters.
During the slow and cautious cruise, Ryan Brogan was fortunate enough to capture a rare and remarkable sight just a few miles off the coast of the island: Two North Atlantic right whale mothers swimming alongside their calves.
The sighting was later shared on Facebook, where Brogan described it as his first time encountering the massive animals so closely.
Brogan said he reported the sighting to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Officials confirmed this sighting was like winning the lottery, because it is so rare to see two mothers with their calves in such close proximity.
While sightings are few and far between, this is not the first right whale seen near Hilton Head Island in recent months.
In November, fishermen working approximately 13 miles off the island’s coast reported spotting two adult right whales and also shared their experience on social media.
About North Atlantic right whales
North Atlantic right whales migrate seasonally from the waters off New England and Canada, where they spend much of the year feeding.
During the winter months, they travel south to the warmer waters off the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida for calving season, according to NOAA.
The species is considered the most endangered large whale in the world, with an estimated population of fewer than 400 individuals remaining.
Anyone who spots a whale is encouraged to report the sighting by calling 877-942-5343, hailing the U.S. Coast Guard on marine VHF Channel 16, or using the Whale Alert app.
