EWS Update #2
12/12/96 - 12/18/96

        We've had an exciting second week of surveying with our first
mother/calf pair of the season sighted 12/15... a bit earlier than usual
and hopefully a good omen of things to come. We had two other sightings
this week, a single right whale on 12/13 and two animals in a Surface
Active Group or SAG (that's whale talk for rolling around together at
the surface) on 12/16. We've enjoyed relatively decent weather for our
daily flights though we had to come home early due to the fog and rain
on 12/18.

        The communications system is working like a well-oiled machine with
reports coming in via FACSFACJAX, a variety of sources including the
Coast Guard,  commercial fishermen and the Navy. Both GA-DNR and FL-DEP
have received sightings from the public. This is great information.
Communications efforts in the calving ground appear to be working better
than ever.  

        Happy Holidays to everyone from the EWS survey team!
        Lisa Conger & Chris Slay
        New England Aquarium