Whale watchers exploring the picturesque coast of Cape May were treated to an extraordinary sight this month — a majestic blue whale, the largest animal on earth, spotted during a thrilling wildlife research expedition.
The breathtaking encounter took place on September 12th aboard the vessel American Star, as part of a tour led by the Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center. With around 50 excited passengers on board, the crew’s keen eyes spotted a telltale blow spout about a mile away.
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As the boat drew closer, the distinctive mottled gray and blue skin of the blue whale confirmed the once-in-a-lifetime sighting. Melissa Laurino, the center’s research director, expressed the significance of the encounter, highlighting that even seasoned experts had never seen a blue whale in the Atlantic before.
“The blue whale was a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife opportunity for everyone on board,” Laurino told the Asbury Park Press. “We have a team of marine mammal and pelagic bird experts with many years of experience logging hundreds of pelagic trips that have never seen a blue whale in the Atlantic before this trip.”
The center also shared striking photos of the blue whale, along with other magnificent wildlife encountered during the cruise.
September 13-14th 24hr Pelagic Trip Highlights: 🚨 1 BLUE WHALE!!! 🚨 We witnessed the largest living animal in the WORLD…
Posted by Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center on Sunday, September 15, 2024
Blue whales are known to inhabit all oceans, with a higher concentration in the Southern Hemisphere. While in the Atlantic Ocean, they are commonly sighted in waters east of Canada, including the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
North Atlantic blue whales can reach lengths of up to 90 feet and weigh over 100,000 pounds, making them truly colossal creatures. Their Antarctic counterparts can be even larger, growing up to 110 feet in length and weighing a staggering 330,000 pounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
A spokesperson from NOAA confirmed the identity of the whale seen off Cape May as a blue whale, noting distinguishing features such as a small dorsal fin and an aquamarine hue underwater.
Witnesses described the whale in an area around 200 feet deep, where it surfaced for about 15 minutes before elegantly retreating into the depths. This rare spectacle left all onboard in awe, providing a unique and unforgettable wildlife encounter.
Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center has been conducting enlightening ecological tours of the Atlantic Ocean since 1987. With the vessel American Star spending approximately 200 days at sea each year, researchers have the opportunity to observe a diverse array of marine life, from dolphins and whales to manta rays, sea turtles, and birds. However, the sighting of a blue whale remains an exceptional event that will be cherished by all who were present.
Blue whales are currently classified as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. The World Wildlife Fund estimates their global population to be between 10,000 to 25,000 individuals, a stark decline from their historic numbers. Threats such as ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, pollution exposure, and habitat alterations continue to endanger their existence.
In a poignant reminder of the planet’s fragile ecosystems, this rare sighting of a blue whale off Cape May serves as a powerful testament to the astonishing wonders of our natural world.