The waters off southern Georgia and northern Florida are the calving grounds for the endangered Right Whale from November to April. The total population of these mammals is currently about 300, with about 11 calves born into the population each year.
Human impacts are a major factor in the whales' ability to increase their numbers.
Since the early 1990s, net entanglements and ship strikes have led to the average death and injury of one to two Right Whales each year. These impacts are believed to be retarding the recovery and growth of the population. Due to this continuing threat, the NMFS designated this area as critical habitat in June 1994. These same waters are also used heavily by commercial, recreational, and military vessels traveling to and from highly valuable ports in this region. When these vessels are impeded during transit, by either collisions or regulations that reduce their speed, it results in increased transportation costs, reduced fuel efficiency, and decreased international competitiveness.