There are approximately 372 critically endangered North Atlantic right whales left in the world, a slight improvement after years of decline.
A new estimate from NOAA Fisheries found the sharp decrease in the North Atlantic right whale population that took place from 2015 to 2020 has slowed down, although the species “continues to experience annual mortalities above recovery thresholds.” NOAA Fisheries declared an unusual mortality event for the whales in 2017, reporting that 20 percent of the population was injured, sick, or had died.
“To see the population estimate increasing gives us hope that what felt like a free fall over the past decade may be behind us,” North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Chair and Anderson Cabot Center Research Scientist Heather Pettis said. “While we still have a great deal of work to do to ensure that this species not only recovers but thrives, it feels really good to be able to share a little bit of positive news.”
The good news, however, may be limited.
"For a critically endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale, a small population increase is better than a decline,” Defenders of Wildlife Senior Attorney Jane Davenport said in a statement. “Make no mistake, though: this is no time to ease up our efforts to protect the right whale from the fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes that are rapidly driving it towards extinction. We are still killing right whales far faster than they can reproduce.”
2024 has seen the highest annual mortality count for North Atlantic right whales since 2019, with five reported deaths and four lost calves. NOAA Fisheries claims the main threats to the whales are fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes. Earlier in October, the agency confirmed that a right whale found dead off the coast of Massachusetts in January 2024 had been entangled in gear likely used in Maine’s lobster fishery.
“While entanglements remain the leading cause of death and injury, this year there were at least six vessel strike-related injuries/deaths, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue soon,” Pettis said.
NOAA Fisheries is working to implement new expanded vessel speed limits to help protect the whales from strikes, expanding speed limit requirements for vessels over 65 feet in length to small vessels 35 feet in length or larger. Lawmakers in Congress have pushed to delay or cancel the requirements, arguing that they could endanger smaller vessels and hurt the recreational boating industry.
In July, 54 federal lawmakers signed a letter calling on the agency to reconsider the rule. In September, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources voted in favor of the Right Whale Act, a bill that would delay the new speed limit for smaller vessels until 2030.
The federal government has also dedicated funding to help conserve the population. In 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration announced USD 82 million (EUR 77 million) for North Atlantic right whale conservation and recovery efforts.