A gray whale, believed to have vanished from the Atlantic Ocean for over two centuries, was sighted swimming near Nantucket last week, leaving marine experts astonished and overjoyed by the unexpected encounter.
Gray whales, typically thriving along the Pacific Coast, have been absent from Atlantic waters since the 1700s. However, in a series of increasingly surprising events, a gray whale was initially spotted off the coast of Florida in December.
A gray whale, believed to have vanished from the Atlantic Ocean for over two centuries, was sighted swimming near Nantucket last week, leaving marine experts astonished and overjoyed by the unexpected encounter.
Gray whales, typically thriving along the Pacific Coast, have been absent from Atlantic waters since the 1700s. However, in a series of increasingly surprising events, a gray whale was initially spotted off the coast of Florida in December.
Experts now speculate that the recent sighting near Nantucket might indeed be the same individual, as indicated by a press release from the New England Aquarium.
The remarkable discovery was made by the New England Aquarium's aerial survey team on Friday, March 1. The team managed to capture photographs of the elusive creature as it gracefully dove and surfaced, documenting its presence in the region.
Reflecting on the encounter, research technician Kate Laemmle expressed her astonishment, stating, "My brain was trying to process what I was seeing because this animal was something that should not exist in these waters." She added, "We were laughing because of how wild and exciting this was, to see an animal that disappeared from the Atlantic hundreds of years ago."
Experts suggest that climate change could be playing a pivotal role in the resurgence of gray whales in Atlantic waters. The possibility arises that the whale might have traversed the Northwest Passage, a route connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans via the Arctic.
With global warming causing the Northwest Passage to remain ice-free during summer months, gray whales may now find an unobstructed pathway into the Atlantic.
Orla O'Brien, associate research scientist at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium, emphasized the significance of the sighting, stating, "This sighting highlights how important each survey is. While we expect to see humpback, right, and fin whales, the ocean is a dynamic ecosystem, and you never know what you'll find."
Indeed, the sighting underscores the rapid response of marine species to climate change when given the opportunity. However, concerns persist among climate experts regarding the broader implications of warming ocean waters. The impact extends to strengthening tropical storms, devastating coral reefs, and accelerating the melting of sea ice.
The plight of other whale species underlines the severity of these changes. Previous reports from Newsweek highlighted the plight of North Atlantic right whales, a critically endangered species.
As the climate warms, their food sources diminish, leading to a decrease in their size over time. The shrinking length of these whales poses challenges for reproduction, with smaller females facing significantly reduced chances of successfully giving birth.