Outreach and Education

NOAA Fisheries Service acknowledges the importance of outreach and education in the conservation and protection North Atlantic right whales.  Education and outreach is intended to raise awareness of many audiences including mariners, recreational boaters, adventure sport enthusiasts, (i.e. surfers, jet skiers, kayakers, parasailers) and the general public who may see these whales from shore.

We also recognize that children in these coastal communities will grow up to work and live on the coastal waters in which we share with right whales.  For this reason, we extend our outreach and education programs to include K-12 students and the general public.  Below are some of the resources and programs developed to educate about the plight of the North Atlantic right whale.

Right Whale Festival

The mission of this festival is to celebrate the North Atlantic right whales and their seasonal return to the waters off Florida and Georgia, which is the only known right whale calving area. This outreach event is intended to educate the public about right whale conservation, protection and management.  Attendees gain knowledge of the importance of this region to right whales, how to recognize and avoid disturbing mother-calf pairs, the close approach rule, the importance of reducing vessel speed when whales are present, and the value of protecting these endangered marine mammals.

The 4th Annual Right Whale Festival will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at the Sea Walk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

For more information, visit: www.rightwhalefestival.org

Inflatable Right Whale

This life-size inflatable right whale calf enhances our outreach exhibit and allows us to reach a greater audience by drawing people to our exhibits so we can share with the public information about right whales and their conservation needs.  The inflatable right whale calf is exhibited at schools, festivals, conferences, and trade shows. 

To increase the public exposure to the inflatable right whale calf and thus raise awareness of the threats facing this critically endangered species, schools, non-profits and other organizations in the Southeast U.S. may borrow the inflatable right whale for educational purposes.  The follow forms must be completed to request and borrow the inflatable right whale:

Inflatable Right Whale Request Form

Inflatable Right Whale Borrowing Agreement

Right Whale Education Materials for Mariners:

Right Whale Protection Notebook

Take Pleasure in our Treasures/ Help protect the North Atlantic Right Whale

Prudent Mariner CD-ROM

Right Whale Recreational Vessel Placard

Slow to 10 Knots for Right Whale Public Service Announcement

Other Right Whale Education Materials:

Right Whale Fact Sheet

Kid’s Activity Guide

Right Whale Conservation Curriculum- coming fall 2012