A North Atlantic right whale shouldn't be a rare sight

Meet one of the few remaining reproductive female North Atlantic right whales, and her calf. This is a rare sight. With fewer than 360 of the species left, a sighting like this could soon be a distant memory. North Atlantic right whales are gentle giants of the ocean. Known for their distinctive appearance, these magnificent creatures play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. But they're facing dangers that threaten their very existence. North Atlantic right whales live in small pots, often displaying acrobatic-like breaching and tail slapping. Their trademark V-shaped blowhole and unique white callosities on their head make them easy to identify. But despite their resilience, North Atlantic right whales are on the brink of extinction. Historically hunted to near extinction in the 19th century, their population has yet to recover. Today, these magnificent creatures still face human-caused dangers. The leading causes of death for these whales today are entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes, and climate change. With fewer than 360 individuals left, and less than 70 reproductive females, every loss is a significant blow to the species' survival. On average, the North Atlantic right whale navigates through 1 million vertical fishing lines scattered throughout their migratory path every year. Entanglement can mean these whales suffer slow and painful deaths. Vessel strikes also pose significant risk, causing fatal injuries and internal trauma as vessels speed through their habitats. To understand the causes of right whale deaths, I have found other experts conduct detailed necropsies, or animal autopsies. Shockingly, near 90% of all North Atlantic right whale deaths between 2003 and 2018 were attributed to entanglement and vessel-induced trauma. In early 2024, a juvenile North Atlantic right whale washed ashore on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Her death was attributed to chronic entanglement. But there's hope on the horizon. Human problems have human solutions. Along with our partner NOAA, we are leading the charge to protect these majestic creatures. Through scientific research, technological innovations, and policy change, we can turn the tide in favor of the North Atlantic right whale. The time to act is now. Together, we can ensure a future where North Atlantic right whales thrive. Join us in the fight to save these incredible animals before it's too late. Learn more at rightwhales.org