Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center Inc

01/13/2025

Happy Marine Life Monday! Today we are highlighting Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center for our .

“This season off Cape May, New Jersey, we observed the most North Atlantic Right whales we have seen in a calendar year. We had three individuals over two encounters. They were identified by the New England Right Whale Research Program as Musketeer ( #4360), Avalanche ( #4440) and the 2022 Calf (Currently unnamed/catalogued) of Tripelago ( #2614). With an estimated population size of 372 animals with less than 70 being breeding females, it is important to report these sightings and view them responsibly. We wish them a safe migration South!”
- Melissa Laurino, Research Director and Naturalist, Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center

01/07/2025

🎉 Great news for New Jersey's Bald eagles and Ospreys! 🦅
Both species were delisted from the New Jersey Endangered Species List! These populations have made a remarkable recovery thanks to conservation efforts and the dedication of the biologists and community who fight to protect our wildlife.
While their status has improved, these animals still face threats from pollution, especially the Mylar balloons that end up in our waterways and are accidentally mistaken as nesting material.
🚫🎈We are committed to our and continuing to stop and remove debris from our waterways during our ecotours to protect our wildlife. Every Mylar balloon removed is a step toward a safer, cleaner environment for these birds to continue thriving.

01/05/2025

Our next comes from Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center!

“On our 24hr pelagic trip on July 27th, we came across a pod of Short-beaked common dolphins. From a distance, we could see them leaping out of the water, and I was so excited. These dolphins are incredibly acrobatic and energetic, and every encounter is unique and memorable. Watching these gracious aerialists breach out of the water over and over again is an experience I will always cherish. Sharing these special encounters can help raise awareness for marine mammal conservation and may even help inspire a future marine biologist!”
- Garrett Testut, Naturalist, Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center

12/29/2024

North Atlantic Right whales are on the move! Recommended slow zones, in addition to the seasonal management areas, have been added for our area. Right whales are an endangered species with approximately 370 individuals remaining, with less than 70 reproductively active females. You can report Right whale sightings to 1-877-WHALE-HELP (877-942-5343), to the United States Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16, and the Whale Alert app.
https://whalemap.org/whalemap.html
📸: NOAA Fisheries New England/Mid-Atlantic

12/28/2024

🐋 December Whale Watching ❄
Lucky passengers on the American Star got a special holiday gift of FOUR Humpback whales today! Nothing beats Cape May during the holiday season ✨
📸: Naturalist Melissa
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055

We participate with Whale SENSE and follow all regional whale watching guidelines.

12/26/2024

🎄🐬Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and joyous holiday season from our pod to yours!🐬🎄

12/23/2024

🐋 December Whale Watching ❄
Yesterday we observed two Fin whales and great bird life including Northern gannets, Loons, and hundreds of Scoter ducks!
🎄Last minute GIFT CARDS: https://capemaywhalewatch.com/gift-cards/
Sailing at 1:30pm on December 28th and 29th and a 12hr pelagic on December 31st 🎉 Celebrate New Year's on the American Star!
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055

12/22/2024

🌊 Highlighting our wonderful 2024 Research Intern team 🐋
We are so grateful for our intern team this season and we thank them for all their hard work! From collecting data on marine life along side our marine scientists, to educating our passengers on marine mammal conservation, their passion and dedication have made a lasting impact! We'll see many of these passionate students next season too, but if not, join us in wishing them the best of luck on their future adventures!
Join our 2025 team here ➡ https://capemaywhalewatch.com/internship-program/

12/20/2024

The THIRD North Atlantic Right whale calf observed off VIRGINIA BEACH by Mid-Atlantic Whale Monitoring Project! 🍼👏

12/18/2024

Need a last minute holiday gift? 🎄🕎
🎁 Only a few days left to take advantage of 20% off all gift card purchases of any value with code: HOLIDAY
🎁 Give the ultimate gift of ocean adventure with a season pass! Unlimited whale and dolphin watching (2hr & 3hr trips) for 2025!
➡https://capemaywhalewatch.com/gift-cards/
📞(609)-898-0055

12/18/2024

We have identifications for the North Atlantic Right whales! Welcome to Cape May AVALANCHE ( #4440) and the 2022 Calf (Currently unnamed/catalogued) of TRIPELAGO ( #2614)! Migrate safely 🩵

12/15/2024

12hr Pelagic Trip Summary - December 14th, 2024
Highlights include:
2 North Atlantic Right whales
Common dolphins
Razorbill
Dovekie
Manx Shearwater
Red Phalarope
Black-legged Kittiwake - everywhere!
Bonaparte's gulls
Northern gannet
& So much more!
🐋
We were extremely fortunate to observe not one but TWO CRITICALLY ENDANGERED North Atlantic Right Whale off our coast! The individual whales were identified by the New England Right Whale Research Program as AVALANCHE ( #4440) and the 2022 Calf (Currently unnamed/catalogued) of TRIPELAGO ( #2614)!
North Atlantic Right Whales have an estimated population size of less than 370 individuals with less than a third being breeding females. Vessel strikes and entanglement are two of the top fatalities of Right Whales. One animal did have healed entanglement scars near the tail. The whales were socializing at the surface with many unique tactile behaviors!
The data we collect at the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center is incredibly important for the health of our marine mammal populations in , . We wish these whales a SAFE migration South!
If you see a Right Whale, report it by calling (866)-755-6622, alert the U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic on channel 16 or submit to the Whale Alert app.
🐋
We participate with Whale SENSE and follow all marine mammal viewing guidelines. All photos are cropped from a 500mm lens.
🐋
📸: Naturalist Melissa and Research Intern Mackenzie
Sailing weekends!
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055
🐋
New England Aquarium
Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at NEAQ

12/13/2024

❄ December Whale Watching 🐋
12hr Marine Mammal and Pelagic Bird Trip: December 14th & 31st
3hr Whale, Dolphin, and Bird Cruise: December 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, and 29th.
www.capemaywhalewatch.com
See you on the American Star ✨

12/11/2024

Our naturalist Dr. Michael Denk was invited by beaked whale expert Anton van Helden to participate in the study of this extremely rare spade-toothed whale in New Zealand. Dr. Denk’s objectives involved documentation of head anatomy and pathology in this animal, as well as obtaining CT scans. Few individuals of this extremely deep-diving and elusive whale species have ever been found, and they are in great need of this research to better understand and protect them!
🐳
📸 & 📄: https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/10/science/spade-toothed-whale-new-zealand-intl-hnk?cid=ios_app

12/09/2024

December Whale & Dolphin Watching ❄🐋
This past weekend we observed a pod of inshore Bottlenose dolphins and 2 Humpback whales! Marine mammals can be observed off Cape May all year! Join us for a winter cruise on the American Star!
📸: Naturalist Dan
www.capemaywhalewatch.com
(609)-898-0055

We participate with Whale SENSE and view our marine mammals respectfully.

12/04/2024

The first, of hopefully many, Right whale calves this season. Every individual counts 🍼🩷

Exciting right whale news! 🎉🐋

The first right whale mom and calf pair of the 2024–2025 calving season was seen off the coast of Georgia on December 1. Aerial observers spotted 31-year-old female Nauset (Catalog #2413) swimming with her fifth known calf off of Sapelo Island.

Learn more about Nauset and stay up to date on this year’s calving season, with information curated by our Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life right whale scientists: https://bit.ly/49ekQnz

📸: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #26919. Funded by Georgia DNR and NOAA Fisheries.

12/03/2024

December whale watching in Cape May ❄️🐋
On Sunday we observed 3 Humpback whales, transient Bottlenose dolphins, thousands of birds including Northern gannets, Scoter ducks, Loons, and so much more! The Humpbacks were hungry and the Bottlenose dolphins were following along, hitching a ride!
📸: Research Interns Michelle and Sam
Sailing weekends at 1:30pm!
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055

We participate with Whale SENSE and follow all regional marine mammal viewing guidelines.

12/03/2024

🌊✨This , join us in making waves for marine mammal conservation at the Cape May Marine Mammal Research Center 501c3! 🐬💙 Your support empowers our mission to promote the conservation of marine mammals through research, education, and community outreach.
📸 Spotlight on Bottlenose Dolphin Surveys! 🐬📷
Did you know that every dorsal fin is unique like a human fingerprint? Our dedicated team utilizes photo-identification to study our local Bottlenose dolphin populations. We're coming up on our last week of dedicated surveys this season together with the Cape May Point Science Center. By documenting these distinctive dorsal fins, we gain invaluable insights into their behavior, migration, and overall health.
Visit https://shorturl.at/cs3ur to make a tax deductible donation and support our mission today! We thank you for your generosity and positive impact for our marine mammals!