Hey Everyone!
It's almost November, which means that right whale calving season is just around the corner! Here at the MRC we are gearing up for an exciting winter. We are hitting the ground running in November with our "Right Mat" fundraiser and by attending the Right Whale Festival in Jacksonville on November 19th.
The "Right Mat" door mats and dog leashes are made out of reclaimed fishing rope, the same fishing rope that right whales often become entangled in. Whales find themselves entangled in this rope because it floats. Recently, Maine lobstermen have converted from using floating rope to using more whale-friendly sinking rope. However, this change comes at a high cost to lobstermen in time, effort, and money to buy new rope. The "Right Mats" and dog leashes are made with the discarded fishing rope to keep it out of landfills. In return, for every mat sold, a portion of the profits are returned to the lobstering community to help with the cost of purchasing whale friendly fishing line. What a great idea!!
Please help support the cause and MRC's Right Whale Volunteer Sighting Network by purchasing a door mat or dog leash. We will be placing a large order during the month of November and if you would like to pre-order one, feel free to call us at 321-725-7775, on the whale hotline at 1-888-979-4253, or via email at council@mrcirl.org. Mats and leashes can be picked up at the Lagoon House in Palm Bay, at the Right Whale Festival in Jacksonville on Nov. 19th.
We will also be selling the mats the the Right Whale Festival and at the Biology of Marine Mammals Conference in Tampa. Pricing is as follows:
Sm. Door mat (18x30") $35
Med Doormat (21x33") $45
Large Doormat (24x36") $65
Dog Leash (5') $10
Finally, we encourage you all to attend the Right Whale Festival in Jacksonville on November 19 from 10am-4pm. The festival features a beach clean-up, activities for children, music, food, and displays geared towards informing and inspiring the community about right whales, their habitat, and their conservation needs. More information on the festival can be found at http://public.sea2shore.org/right_whale_festival/. We hope to see you there!
Keep checking this blog throughout the coming winter for up-to-date information on right whale events and right whale sightings!
All the best! ~ Kerry Soltis and Julie Albert
