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TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) -The Tybee Island Marine Science Center is celebrating Whale Week this week to raise awareness about North Atlantic right whales, a critically endangered species with fewer than 384 individuals remaining on Earth.
Each December, the whales return to Georgia’s coast to give birth in waters scientists consider critical to the species’ survival.
The week-long event focuses on educating the public about ways they can help protect the marine mammals. Conservation efforts include encouraging boaters to be more conscious in the waters and reducing plastic use.
“It’s about education. A lot of people become aware. Once they’re aware, we give them ways to help protect them because obviously they’re not going to likely be out on a ship or have fishing gear. But what we can all do as citizens is reduce our use of single plastic use,” said Beth Palmer, operations director at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.
The center emphasizes that everyone can play a part in protecting the endangered whales, from recreational boaters to everyday citizens making environmentally conscious choices.
Conservationists continue working to ensure the species doesn’t disappear forever as the whales face ongoing threats in their critical habitat areas.
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