Texas Gulf Has Whales-And Even Orcas (Video)

The waters of the Gulf of Mexico are rich in marine mammals and although many of them are rarely seen by the public their conservation is important to the overall health of the Gulf ecosystem.

According to NOAA there aare 28 different species of marine mammals known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico. All 28 species are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and six are also listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (sperm, sei, fin, blue, humpback and North Atlantic right whales).

Of the six ESA-listed whales, only endangered sperm whales are considered to commonly occur. There according to NOAA a resident population of female sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico, and whales with calves are sighted frequently. Cuvier’s beaked whales are elusive and rarely seen at the surface, which is why their population status is unknown. These whales vary in coloration from rusty-brown, dark gray, or tan. They prefer deep water, avoid shallow coastal areas, and are known to travel in groups of two to 7.

A few years back stunning video of a pod of orcas feeding in the Gulf made national news. It is believed there is a small group of them that feeds in Gulf waters periodically.

Bottlenose dolphins inhabit the Gulf of Mexico year- round. They are blue-gray with lighter sides and bellies and have a robust body and head. This species is the most commonly observed dolphin in nearshore waters, and travel alone or in groups up to 20. These are the dolphins seen around ferries and in our bay systems.

Atlantic spotted dolphins prefer tropical to warm-temperate waters over the continental shelf, edge, and upper reaches of the slope. These dolphins have variable spotting. They are very active at the surface and often breach while feeding. Group size is usually between 5-15. Risso’s dolphins are typically found around the continental shelf edge and steep upper sections of the slope. They are light gray and often exhibit extensive scarring. These dolphins travel alone or in groups of up to 100 and may be observed with other species.

No one enters these animals domain more than fishermen and in many cases anglers have helped locate and monitor injured marine mammals.

Anglers have been at the forefront of the conservation world with groups like the Coastal Conservation Association working heavy with sport fish and habitat but have also been very interested in aiding all aquatic species.

Marine mammals are some of the most interesting creatures in the world and if we open our eyes and pay just a little more attention we might just come across a rarity or get a big surprise.

I will never forget the first time I saw a pink albino dolphin near Lake Calcasieu in Louisiana and saw a beaked whale while fishing 80 miles offshore in a party boat out of Galveston. It’s our duty to makes sure these creatures can thrive in the waters that we know and love.

So, what if I find you find a stranded marine mammal?

*Call 1-800-9-MAMMAL

*DO NOT return the animal to the sea.

*Follow instructions from TMMSN staff until the rescue team arrives.

* Keep people and pets away from the animal.

*Only one or two people are needed until expert help arrives. Do not leave the animal.

The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN) is a non-profit organization created in 1980 to further the understanding and conservation of marine mammals through rescue and rehabilitation, research and education.

The TMMSN consists of six regions along the Texas coast, which provide a coordinated response to all marine mammal strandings along the Texas coastline.

The TMMSN receives no state funding and receives only limited institutional support in the form of grants.  TMMSN RELIES on the donations of time and funds from generous supporters to continue it’s mission dedicated to rescue, rehabilitation, research, and education. For more information go to tmmsn.org.

Chester Moore, Jr.