Marine Wildlife

North Atlantic Right Whale - A Species on the Brink

With fewer than 370 individuals remaining, the North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered large whales in the world, facing critical threats from vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglement.

Key Facts

Fewer than 370 North Atlantic right whales remain, with fewer than 70 reproductive females
Vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are the two leading causes of death
Right whales earned their name from whalers who considered them the 'right' whale to hunt due to their slow speed and buoyancy
A single entanglement death can significantly impact population recovery given their low reproductive rate
Climate change is shifting their prey northward into Canadian waters with less protective regulations

Welfare Considerations

The welfare situation for North Atlantic right whales is critical. Animals that become entangled in fishing gear may suffer for months, dragging heavy ropes and traps that cause serious injury, infection, and prevent normal feeding and reproduction. Vessel strikes cause acute traumatic injury. Even when whales survive these encounters, chronic stress and reduced body condition from entanglement affects reproductive success, compounding the population-level crisis.

What You Can Do

Support the campaign for mandatory ropeless fishing gear in right whale critical habitat
Advocate for stricter vessel speed restrictions in right whale habitat zones
Donate to the Center for Coastal Studies or other right whale rescue organizations
Contact elected officials to strengthen protections under the Endangered Species Act
Avoid seafood from fisheries that have not adopted right whale protective measures