Applying a spatial model to evaluate the risk of interactions between vessels and Right Whales in the southeast United States critical habitat . 14 October 2005

The nearshore continental shelf waters off of Georgia and Florida are the only know calving habitat for the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. This region is also an area with a high amount of large vessel traffic including both military vessels associated with Mayport in northern Florida and commercial traffic associated with the ports of Jacksonville, FL, Fernandina, FL, and Brunswick, GA. Vessel strikes account for the majority of known mortalities of North Atlantic Right Whales. Given the necessity of successful calving for the survival and recovery of this species, it is important to explore strategies to reduce the risk of interactions between right whales and large vessel traffic in the calving area.