Kristinn Skulason, a regional manager at Quinlan Brothers Ltd., had a rare sighting of a North Atlantic right whale from his office window in Bay de Verde, Newfoundland’s Conception Bay. Skulason initially didn’t recognize the whale species but was captivated by its proximity to the shore, a unique occurrence in his 28 years at the location. He quickly captured photos and videos of the whale, which he later shared on social media.
The whale, identified as Goldfish, was confirmed by Brett Gilchrist, a director at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). Right whales like Goldfish are known to have a wide range from Iceland to Europe and down to the Gulf of Mexico. They are often found in Canadian waters feeding on copepods, a vital food source, with popular spots being the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Despite the potential risk of entanglement in fishing gear, DFO did not enforce a fisheries closure in the area where Goldfish was sighted, as there were no indications of a large aggregation of whales. However, a “notice of vigilance” was issued to local fish harvesters to exercise caution in the vicinity.
It is essential for individuals spotting right whales to record details such as date, time, location, behavior, and unique features, while refraining from approaching the animals. This sighting serves as a reminder of the importance of conserving these large, dark-colored baleen whales.
