North Atlantic Right Whales - Sailors for the Sea

North Atlantic Right Whales

The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered large whales on the planet. Today, only about 330 North Atlantic right whales remain, including fewer than 100 breeding females. To prevent extinction, the whales must be protected from fishing gear entanglements and ship strikes.

The Problem

The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered large whales on the planet. 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 populations first crashed due to whaling until hunting this species was banned in 1935. Now the two greatest threats to North Atlantic right whales are entanglements with fishing gear and collisions with ships. Emerging threats like seismic airgun blasting, a process used to search for oil and gas deep below the seafloor that creates one of the loudest human-made sounds in the ocean, puts the species at even greater risk.

Today, only around 330 North Atlantic right whales remain, including fewer than 80 breeding females. To prevent extinction, the whales must be protected from fishing gear entanglements and ship strikes.

The Solution

We are calling on the U.S. and Canadian governments to take urgent action, including:

  • Require ships to slow down where North Atlantic right whales are known to swim
  • Enhance fisheries monitoring and require public tracking of fishing vessels
  • Modify fishing gear and practices to reduce the likelihood and severity of entanglements

Take Action

You can help save these iconic whales before they are gone forever by speaking up right now.

Tell U.S. and Canadian government officials to take immediate action to protect North Atlantic right whales from extinction >>

Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Research Permit #775-1600-10

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