north atlantic right whale

It’s birthing season for the North Atlantic Right whale, a time of both hope and danger for the critically endangered species.       Fishing lines threaten Right whales. At least nine new calves have been born so far this birthing season, which typically lasts from December to March.1 This spring, they’ll face a perilous migration northward, where fishing lines, such as the vertical lines […]
North Atlantic Right Whale and Calf (Photo: NOAA)

The North Atlantic right whale’s small, battered population declined at 10 times the sustainable rate last year.1,2 But November brought a glimmer of hope.1     The SAVE Right Whales Act will boost whale recovery. The U.S. Senate is preparing to vote on the SAVE Right Whales Act — meaning that recovery efforts could soon get a desperately-needed boost. That would be great news for […]

By Marcia Eldridge, board member Seven North Atlantic right whale calves were born this calving season, bringing new hope for the future of this endangered whale species. After no calves were born last season, seven newborns is an important milestone. But experts warn that they need to deliver 16 to 18 calves per year in order to sustain the species and avoid […]
North Atlantic Right Whale and Calf (Photo: NOAA)

Just 411 North Atlantic right whales remain on the planet — and that’s the best estimate.1 And the Trump administration just further jeopardized their future.       The Threat to North Atlantic Right Whales North Atlantic right whales are hanging onto existence by a thread and seismic blasting for offshore oil and gas deposits is a threat they may not be able to survive. The […]
Gray whale, Provincetown. Photo: Thomas Kelley, Unsplash

North Atlantic right whales are on the brink of extinction. In late January, a dead right whale entangled in fishing line appeared on Virginia’s coast. She was #3893 in the New England Aquarium’s catalog of North Atlantic right whales. And, as one of only around 100 reproductively mature North Atlantic right whales remaining on the planet, if she were still alive […]
Entangled North Atlantic right whale (Photo: Sea to Shore Alliance / NOAA Permit #20566

This should be a time of hope and new beginnings for the beleaguered North Atlantic right whale. North Atlantic right whales birth their calves from December to March, but this year the calves are missing. Scientists have yet to confirm any 2018 whale births.1 Help us protect vital habitat for these unique creatures and champion commercial fishing gear improvements to save […]
A North Atlantic right whale, found dead off the Virginia coast and entangled in fishing lines. (Photo: Sea to Shore Alliance / NOAA permit

She was #3893 in the New England Aquarium’s catalog of North Atlantic right whales. But, as one of only around 100 reproductively mature North Atlantic right whales remaining on the planet, she may well have helped save her species from extinction.1 Last Monday, whale #3893 was found dead and entangled in fishing line off Virginia’s coast in what is 2018’s first […]