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Rare Gray Whale Spotted Off Massachusetts Coast, First in Over 200 Years

Rare Gray Whale Spotted Off Massachusetts Coast, First in Over 200 Years

March 6, 2024

Nantucket, Massachusetts – In a remarkable discovery, scientists from the New England Aquarium (NEA) in Boston spotted a gray whale swimming off the coast of Nantucket on Friday, March 1st, 2024. This marks the first confirmed sighting of a gray whale in the Atlantic Ocean in over 200 years, leaving researchers both surprised and hopeful.

The NEA team was conducting an aerial survey approximately 30 miles south of Nantucket when they spotted the elusive whale. As the creature continued to dive and resurface, suggesting feeding behavior, the team carefully documented the encounter with photographs and observations for 45 minutes. Subsequent analysis confirmed their initial suspicions – it was indeed a gray whale.

"Truly Surreal", "The Excitement Was Undeniable"

“I was hesitant to even say it out loud at first because it seemed so unbelievable,” shared Orla O’Brien, an associate research scientist at the NEA’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life and a veteran of aerial surveys for over 13 years.

Rare Gray Whale Spotted Off Massachusetts Coast, First in Over 200 Years

Research Technician Kat Laemmle, who accompanied O’Brien on the flight, echoed the sentiment. “Seeing an animal that vanished from the Atlantic centuries ago was truly surreal,” she said. “It took a while for it to sink in, but the excitement was undeniable.”

Gray whales, typically found in the North Pacific Ocean, are easily recognizable by their lack of a dorsal fin, mottled gray and white skin, and a prominent dorsal hump with characteristic ridges along the back. While the species vanished from the Atlantic by the 18th century, there have been five documented sightings in the past 15 years, including one off the coast of Florida in December 2023.

Rare Gray Whale Spotted Off Massachusetts Coast, First in Over 200 Years

Linked To Climate Change

Scientists believe the recent reappearance of gray whales in the Atlantic is linked to climate change. The Northwest Passage, a waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic, has become increasingly ice-free during summer months due to rising global temperatures. This open passage allows gray whales, previously restricted by thick winter ice, to explore new territories.

“While we regularly encounter humpback, right, and fin whales on our surveys, the ocean is constantly evolving,” explained O’Brien. “These gray whale sightings serve as a stark reminder of how quickly marine life can adapt to changing environmental conditions.”

Rare Gray Whale Spotted Off Massachusetts Coast, First in Over 200 Years

The discovery of a gray whale in the Atlantic Ocean not only rewrites the narrative of the species' historical range but also highlights the potential impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.