Whales are present in North Carolina waters, which serve as a migratory corridor for several large marine mammal species. Their presence extends from the immediate coastline outward to the edge of the continental shelf, where the ocean floor drops steeply. This environment is a regular part of the seasonal journey for whales traveling along the Atlantic coast. The offshore region, particularly around the Outer Banks, is an area of intense monitoring due to its importance to these migrating populations.
Major Whale Species Found Off North Carolina
The most monitored large whale passing through North Carolina waters is the North Atlantic Right Whale. This species is recognizable by the lack of a dorsal fin and the presence of rough, white patches on its head called callosities. Right Whales are among the most endangered large whales globally, with the population estimated to be around 370 individuals.
Humpback Whales are perhaps the most frequently sighted large whale from the North Carolina shore. These whales are known for their spectacular acrobatic behaviors, such as breaching and lobtailing. They can be identified by the unique black and white patterns on the underside of their tail flukes. They are large baleen whales, capable of growing up to 60 feet long.
Another large species that frequents the offshore areas is the Fin Whale, the second-largest animal after the Blue Whale. Fin Whales are fast, sleek swimmers, typically found farther offshore than Humpbacks, often in deeper water near the continental shelf break. They remain the most frequently seen Balaenoptera species in the state’s offshore environment. Deep-water species like Sperm Whales and smaller cetaceans like Pygmy Sperm Whales can also be found in the state’s Atlantic waters.
Seasonal Movement and Key Habitats
The presence of large whales in North Carolina is seasonal, governed by their annual migration cycle. Both North Atlantic Right Whales and Humpback Whales travel south in the late fall and winter, typically from November through April. This southward movement allows Right Whales to reach their calving grounds off the coasts of Georgia and Florida.
The continental shelf break, where the seafloor drops off, acts as a primary habitat and migratory pathway for many species, including Fin Whales. This deep-water edge is close to the coastline around Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks, influencing where whales can be sighted. The Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current, also influences their offshore movements and feeding patterns.
Sightings of Humpback Whales often occur closer to shore, especially from Cape Hatteras northward. They are sometimes observed feeding on schooling fish near the coastline during their winter migration. The return journey north occurs in the spring, as the whales travel toward their summer feeding grounds in New England and Atlantic Canada.
Conservation Status and Regional Threats
The whales that transit North Carolina waters face significant risks, particularly the North Atlantic Right Whale. The main human-caused threats are entanglement in commercial fishing gear and vessel strikes. Entanglement in fixed gear, such as gillnets, can cause chronic injury, leading to infection, starvation, and death, which drives the species’ population decline.
Vessel strikes pose a persistent danger because North Carolina’s coast is part of a busy shipping corridor. Right Whales spend much of their time near the surface, making them vulnerable to collisions with ships. The mortality from both entanglements and vessel strikes has resulted in ongoing Unusual Mortality Events (UMEs) for both the North Atlantic Right Whale and the Humpback Whale populations.
To mitigate these threats, protective measures are in place along the migratory route. NOAA Fisheries implements mandatory speed restrictions for vessels 65 feet or longer, requiring them to travel at 10 knots or less in designated areas during the migratory season (November 1 to April 30). Additionally, the North Carolina Early Warning System (NCWS) conducts aerial surveys to detect the presence of Right Whales.
When whales are visually or acoustically detected, NOAA often declares temporary, voluntary “Slow Zones,” known as Dynamic Management Areas, to alert mariners. These efforts, which include monitoring around Cape Hatteras, are designed to reduce the risk of lethal interactions and provide a safer passage for the whales that remain. The survival of these large marine mammals depends on the success of these regional conservation and monitoring programs.