North Atlantic Right Whales
Overview
North Atlantic right whales are one of the most endangered large whales on the planet, with only about 380 remaining. The two greatest threats to their survival are entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes, either of which can be fatal. Oceana advocates for effective, science-based solutions to address both threats, pushing for stronger safeguards to give North Atlantic right whales a fighting chance at recovery.
Watch: Why North Atlantic Right Whales are so Endangered
Here’s what you need to know about one of the world’s most threatened species.
Why North Atlantic Right Whales Are Critically Endangered
North Atlantic right whale populations first crashed due to whaling. They were aggressively hunted, and their population dropped from peak estimates of up to 21,000 to perhaps fewer than 100 by the 1920s. After commercial whaling was banned in 1935, their population increased but has since dropped again, mainly from human causes.
Fishing Gear Entanglement
Some Atlantic fisheries — specifically lobster, black sea bass, and crab — use traps and pots that rest at the bottom of the ocean; vertical lines or ropes connect the traps to a buoy at the surface. These traps and vertical lines are set in the water and are then collected later. These fishing lines can wrap around whales’ mouths and bodies, ripping into their flesh and even cutting into bone, leading to life-threatening infections and even amputations. Entangled whales struggle to swim, reproduce, and feed, which can lead to starvation and drowning.
Vessel Strikes
North Atlantic right whales are dark colored, slow (swimming at less than 6 kph, or 4 mph), often linger near the surface, and lack a dorsal fin (the fin on the whales back), making them hard to spot. This puts them at great risk of being hit by boats, resulting in deadly injuries from blunt force trauma or cuts from propellers.
Boat speed is a major factor in whale collisions
At normal operating speeds, many boats are unable to avoid whales, and whales are too slow to move out of the way. After studies found boats traveling under 10 knots (11.5 mph) were less likely to injure and kill whales, the 2008 NOAA Vessel Speed Rule established 10-knot speed limits where vessels were likely to encounter North Atlantic right whales. Today there are three types of go-slow zones: Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs), fixed areas based on historic migration patterns; Dynamic Management Areas (DMAs), temporary areas created anywhere three or more North Atlantic right whales have been spotted; and Slow Zones, similar to DMAs, but based on acoustic detection of whales.
While the speed limits have helped, there’s room for improvement:
- SMAs are based on nearly 20-year-old behavioral data that doesn’t reflect recent changes to right whales’ migration habits likely resulting from shifting food sources.
- Boats under 65 feet and military vessels are exempt.
- In DMAs and Slow Zones, compliance is voluntary; where speed limits are mandatory, they’re hard to enforce.
Two Types of Go-Slow Areas
| SMAs | DMAs & Slow Zones | |
|---|---|---|
| How they’re established | Based on 2008 behavior and migration patterns | DMAs are based on visual detection of 3 or more North Atlantic right whales and Slow Zones are based on acoustic detection |
| Number | 10 | Variable |
| Location | Static, ranging from Massachusetts to Northern Florida | Dynamic, ranging from Maine to Florida |
| Duration | 2–5 months, seasonal | 15 days from visual detection |
| Speed limit | 10 knots (mandatory) | 10 knots (voluntary) |
Monitoring Ship Speeds to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales
Oceana developed and launched Ship Speed Watch, allowing users to track vessel speeds in near real-time in areas established to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales along the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada. By monitoring compliance with speed restrictions, the tool helps shine a light on one of the leading threats facing these whales — deadly ship strikes.
Low Right Whales Birth Rates
North Atlantic right whales aren’t reproducing fast enough to sustain their numbers. Female North Atlantic right whales reach reproductive maturity at 10 years of age and typically produce one calf after a year-long pregnancy. Three years is considered a healthy interval between calves, but the trauma caused by fishing gear entanglements, boat traffic, noise pollution, and climate change have increased the calving interval to 7-10 years on average. In 2018, only 70 breeding female right whales remain. .
How to Save the North Atlantic Right Whale
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- In areas where conventional gear is prohibited, switch to on-demand gear (also referred to as “ropeless” or “pop-up” fishing gear), an innovative technology that significantly reduces or eliminates the use of vertical lines while fishing, removing the entanglement threat.
- Update whale protection speed zones to reflect where North Atlantic right whales are actually found today. This includes revising the timing and location of SMAs to reflect the current footprint of North Atlantic right whales, and creating new SMAs in areas where DMAs are routinely triggered.
- Make speed limits in DMAs mandatory.
- Require vessels 35 feet or greater to use Automatic Identification System (AIS) devices at all times to facilitate speed limit enforcement.
- Acknowledge the danger posed by small boats by expanding the Vessel Speed rule to include smaller boats, and narrow exemptions for government vessels.
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Reports and Fact Sheets
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where do North Atlantic right whales live?
A: North Atlantic right whales were once found from Bermuda to Canada, across the North Atlantic around Iceland and Norway, and as far south as the northwestern coast of Africa. Today North Atlantic right whales live mostly along the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada, with occasional sightings in Europe and Iceland.
Q: How did North Atlantic right whales get their name?
A: They were named for being the “right” whale to hunt because they were often found near shore, swim slowly, and tend to float when killed. Their Latin name, Eubalena, means true, right or proper whale.
Q: How many whales die from entanglement each year?
A: Between 2017 and February 2026, 11 North Atlantic right whales were confirmed dead because of entanglements in fishing gear. Another 36 sustained serious injuries caused by entanglements and were considered likely to die. In addition, there were 60 confirmed cases where whales were injured or in poor health from entanglements. More than 86% of North Atlantic right whales have suffered at least one entanglement during their lifetime, with some individuals being entangled as many as 10 times.
Q: How many whales die from vessel strikes each year?
A: Between 2017 and February 2026, there were 15 confirmed deaths of North Atlantic right whales and three confirmed serious injuries from boat strikes in the U.S. and Canada. However, research indicates only 36% of deaths are detected, so the actual number of NARW killed from vessel strikes is likely much higher
Q: Why do North Atlantic right whales migrate?
A: North Atlantic right whales feed in the cooler waters off New England and eastern Canada. Every year, some migrate down to the warmer waters in the southeastern U.S. to give birth and nurse their calves.
Q: Are all whales affected by boat strikes?
A: All whales and dolphins are vulnerable to boat strikes.
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