Georgia
Georgia Aquarium's beluga whale conservation to be featured on Wild Kingdom
ATLANTA – Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom will spotlight the Georgia Aquarium in a new episode featuring beluga whale conservation.
Release:
Georgia Aquarium will once again be spotlighted in a new episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, airing Saturday, April 26.
The new episode will feature the Aquarium’s efforts to protect the gentle beluga whale and how they’re contributing to the species’ conservation.
In the episode, co-hosts Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, an Emory University alumna, and Peter Gros will highlight:
- Beluga Blues: Why beluga whales are facing significant challenges, with their populations declining due to habitat loss and climate change.
- Science in Action: How Georgia Aquarium is advancing scientific knowledge about beluga whales through research in a controlled setting, including innovative breath tests performed in a water dome to measure their energy use.
- Conservation Connections: How this data is shared with conservationists and fishing boats to ensure a sustainable fish supply for wild beluga populations.
- Whale TLC: The care, treatment, and feeding practices at Georgia Aquarium, where the team has years of experience working with these remarkable animals – and the belugas even voluntarily participate in their own healthcare!
Fast Facts about Beluga Whales:
- Belugas are incredibly vocal, using a wide variety of sounds to communicate, earning them the nickname “canaries of the sea.”
- Beluga whales are known for their striking white color and are highly social creatures, often seen in groups called pods.
- Adult belugas typically measure around 13-20 feet in length, with males generally being larger than females.
- The species is considered near-threatened due to threats like climate change, hunting, and habitat degradation, particularly in the Arctic and sub-Arctic waters.
- The largest summering population of belugas in the world live in Hudson Bay in Canada, with roughly 60,000 belugas.
- There are about 200,000 belugas worldwide.
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Georgia was already going to see plenty of anglers this summer, but now they have even more reason to go fishing this season.
On Friday, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that his administration approved state permits for the 2026 red snapper season with much larger windows for fishing.
“For years, our Great Fishermen have been punished with very short federal fishing seasons despite record high fish populations and the states begging to oversee these permits,” Trump wrote. “We love and respect our fishermen and, unlike the Democrats, will only do good for them.”
When is Georgia red snapper season 2026?
Georgia anglers will be able to fish for red snapper from July 1 through Aug. 31. The state’s department of natural resources said via news release that, traditionally, the season has been limited to just a few days due to data uncertainty. But, if Georgia can show proficiency in data collection, the longer season could be extended for two more years.
Red snapper fishing laws
Anglers may keep only one red snapper per day. They must register their trips prior to departure using the Georgia DNR app, which will be released at a later date. They must also report their catch within 24 hours.
Georgia DNR coastal resources director Doug Haymans said “This is a major step forward for Georgia anglers….If anglers want longer, more reliable seasons, we need better data—and that comes directly from them. Reporting through the app is how anglers can help shape the future of red snapper fishing in Georgia.”
Reactions to expanded red snapper fishing season
Gov. Brian Kemp said on his social media platforms “Thank you to President Trump for putting the power to conserve and manage this key fish population back where it belongs – in the hands of those who know the region best. Looking forward to Red Snapper season opening soon!”
Florida and the Carolinas’ governors have shared similar statements of excitement and praise.
However, when these moves were being considered in February, the US-based advocacy group Ocean Conservancy put out a statement of opposition, writing as a group “Overfishing drove the red snapper population to just 11% of its historical abundance; in response, seasons were reduced as part of a rebuilding plan set to last through 2044. These new exemptions risk undermining the progress made to restore this stock and allow sustainable fishing opportunities.”
Where are red snapper in Georgia?
According to NOAA, red snapper are generally found 30-620 feet deep in the Gulf of America and along the east coast. They are rare north of the Carolinas.
Larval red snapper swim freely within the water column. Juveniles live in shallow waters over sandy or muddy bottom habitat. Adults live on the bottom, usually near hard structures on continental shelf that have moderate to high relief (rocks, ledges, reefs, etc), sloping soft-bottom areas, and limestone deposits.
What do red snapper eat?
Red snapper eat fish, shrimp, crab, worms, cephalopods (octopus or squid), and some plankton (tiny floating plants and animals).
Best way to cook red snapper
Chef and host of Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” Andrew Zimmern posted a video on TikTok of a recipe idea using red snapper:
How big are red snapper?
Red snapper may grow up to 40 inches long and weighing up to 50 pounds.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This Georgia baseball team excels when it’s threatened, shortstop Kolby Branch says.
It dominated during a brutal conference road stretch in April, then didn’t let up when returning home to Foley Field.
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ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — High pressure is keeping North Georgia in a dry pattern through Tuesday, but a cold front approaching from the northwest will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms back to the region by Wednesday and Thursday.
Your Next Two Days: Enjoy the Sunshine
Today will feature mostly sunny skies with highs climbing into the upper 70s in north Georgia. Light southwest winds will keep conditions comfortable for outdoor activities. Overnight lows will dip into the 50s.
Tuesday will see increasing clouds as the next weather system approaches from the northwest, but the day will remain dry. Highs will reach the upper 70s to middle 80s, with lows Tuesday night in the upper 50s to low 60s.
Midweek Changes: Showers and Storms Return
The pattern shifts dramatically Wednesday and Thursday as a cold front moves through the region. Models show good agreement that instability will build during the day Wednesday, with temperatures climbing into the low to mid 80s and dewpoints rising into the low 60s.
Shower and thunderstorm chances will increase Wednesday and Thursday, with rain and storms in northwest Georgia by 8 p.m. Wednesday evening.
The rain will overspread all of north Georgia after midnight and continue through your entire Thursday morning commute.
Thursday is a First Alert Weather Day for rain and storms in the morning.
The rain is expected to move out around lunch on Thursday.
The Weekend Outlook
Cooler air will follow the frontal passage on Thursday, with highs dropping into the 70s Friday and Saturday. Overnight lows will dip into the 40s and low 50s.
Our next best chance of rain after Thursday will be on Mother’s Day.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
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