‘Great news’ for the New Year: Three right whale calves spotted2023 may be a good year for the right whales — in a positive sign for the endangered species, three new calves were quickly spotted leading up to the new year.The North Atlantic right whales War, Viola and Aphrodite were all spotted with new calves of the northeast coast of Florida by the Clearwater Aquarium on Dec. 29, the New England Aquarium reported.“During this time, researchers on and above the water keep their eye out for whale mothers and their calves, a hopeful sight for the survival of these critically endangered marine animals.”North Atlantic right whales previously suffered as targets of commercial whaling and now are most often killed by being struck by ships or entangled in fishing gear.War, a whale of unknown age named after the War of 1812 and for her callosity’s resemblance to cannons, has had six previous calves, a “relatively small family.” They’ve experienced many “entanglement injuries” from interactions with humans, but most have been minor, the aquarium’s list details.“Viola’s last calf was born 12 years ago—one of the longer calving gaps!”Aphrodite, a 36-year-old whale named for a heart-shaped scar on her side caused by humans, has had six previous calves and at least three grandkids."