Visit our Program webpage for current information about
the North Atlantic Right Whale Program.


The Marine Resources Council's Right Whale Monitoring Program was established in 1995 to reduce human impacts to the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Citizens on the east coast of Florida report land‑based sightings of right whales to our hotline (1‑888‑97‑WHALE). This information is passed on to local ship traffic to avoid ship strikes, which account for over one‑third of documented right whale deaths in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Updated 2011 Whale Names

Every year the New England Aquarium selects names for about 15 right whales. The selected names are supposed to be representative of identifying traits of the whale. The 2011 whales have been named and are listed below, along with an explanation of why the name was selected for that particular whale.

Snoopy (#1056): Named for a distinctive scar on the right side of the head that looks like Snoopy-especially from the air.

Argo (#1218): There is a small scar on the head between the bonnet and the coaming. The scar resembles Jason’s ship "Argo" as it sailed between the Clashing Rocks.

Glacier (#1402): The scar on the back of this whale looks like a melting Glacier.

Crest (#1513): The thick white scar on the dorsal peduncle looks like a strip of toothpaste. This scar could also represent the crest of a wave.

Crater (#1609): There is a divot scar on the right shoulder.

Bowtie (#2410): The scar on the back of this animal represents a bowtie.

Harmonia (#3101): This whale is the daughter of the whale named Aphrodite. In Greek mythology Harmonia was the daughter of Aphrodite. Additionally, Harmonia is renowned in the ancient story for the necklace that she received on her wedding day. The scar in front of this whale’s bonnet resembles a draped necklace.

Cypress (#3440): Her callosity resembles a cypress tree because it is straight, but also twisty and knobby.

Dog-Ear (#3590): This whale is named for the bent left fluke. The bent corner of a book’s page is called a dog-ear.

Bongo (#3623): The 2 sets of peninsulas look like a collection of bongo drums.

Phantom (#3802): Named for the prop scar that goes over the right head and into the left blowhole-reminiscent of the mask the phantom of the opera wears to cover the right side of his face.

Marlin (#3805): The line scar exiting the right mouth of the whale resembles the common visual of a jumping marlin caught on a line. Additionally, from a distance the scar itself looks like the long pointy bill of the marlin.

Sharkbait (#3945): In Finding Nemo, Nemo finds himself abducted from the ocean and placed into a fish tank with an assortment of fish and invertebrates also stolen from the sea. The "tank gang" initiate Nemo into their group via an initiation ceremony. Despite having a disfigured fin Nemo swims through the bubbling Mount Wannahawkaloogee and receives the name "Sharkbait." Despite being attacked by a shark as a young whale, this whale managed to survive and is named in honor of his strength and the scar he carries as a reminder of his early life and struggles.



Photos: North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium
Top Left: Crest



Bottom Right:Sharkbait
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