North Atlantic Right Whale Health Updates 2020–2022
An archive of updates from NOAA Fisheries on North Atlantic right whale health and stranding incidents in 2020–2022.
🢐 2023 Updates | Latest Updates 🢒
4501: A Newly Entangled Right Whale
October 14, 2022
Image
In late August, Fisheries and Oceans Canada observed an entangled North Atlantic right whale #4501. The subadult male whale was seen approximately 50 nautical miles east of Shippagan, New Brunswick, Canada. The most recent previous sighting of the whale was on August 6, 2022, in the same area; it was not entangled then. After reviewing documentation of this new entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that the entanglement has resulted in a “serious injury.” This indicates the whale is likely to die from this injury.
#4501 is the 21st seriously injured and 91st right whale documented in the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event. This UME includes dead, seriously injured, and sublethally injured or ill whales.
NOAA Fisheries and our partners will continue to search for the whale and monitor it. Experts will attempt to disentangle the whale as weather and safety conditions allow.
Image
Snow Cone (Right Whale 3560) Entangled in New Fishing Gear
October 11, 2022
An aerial survey team from the New England Aquarium observed North Atlantic right whale “Snow Cone” (#3560) on September 21, 2022, south of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Snow Cone was seen entangled with new fishing gear wrapped around her tailstock, while still carrying old gear entangled around her head from March 2021.
The new entanglement is at least the fifth entanglement researchers have documented with Snow Cone. She is in extremely poor health as evidenced by the presence of whale lice, her slow movements, and her visible injuries. Since her last sighting in Cape Cod in May 2022, her condition has noticeably worsened. In May, she was seen without her calf, who was born around early December 2021. The calf has not been seen since April 2022 and may have weaned or not survived.
Large whale entanglement responders from the Center for Coastal Studies were notified of the sighting and new entanglement. However, no response was possible given the late time of day and Snow Cone’s distance from shore. Snow Cone has not been seen since, but entanglement response teams remain on standby if she is seen again and weather conditions permit a disentanglement effort.
There is an ongoing North Atlantic Right Whale Unusual Mortality Event, which currently includes both dead and seriously injured whales. Snow Cone was added to the UME in March 2021. The UME has documented at least 54 whales to date since 2017.
Image
Right Whale 5120: A Newly Entangled Yearling
August 31, 2022
In late August, Fisheries and Oceans Canada observed an entangled yearling North Atlantic right whale known as “2021 Calf of #3720.” It has this name because it was born in 2021 and its mother is the adult female right whale known as #3720. The yearling was seen approximately 48 nautical miles east off the coast of New Brunswick, Canada, and is approximately 1.5 years old. The most recent previous sighting of the whale was on May 1, 2022, in the Great South Channel; it was not entangled then.
After reviewing photographs of this new entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that it has resulted in a “serious injury.” This indicates the whale is likely to die from this injury. As the yearling grows, the entanglement is likely to cause increasing harm and eventual death as it constricts the tail and other areas of the whale’s body.
“2021 Calf of #3720” is the 54th right whale documented in the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event. This UME includes both dead and seriously injured whales.
NOAA Fisheries and our partners will continue to search for the yearling and monitor it. Experts will attempt to disentangle the whale as weather and safety conditions allow.
Image
Meridian (Right Whale 1403): A Newly Entangled Right Whale
August 5, 2022
In late June, Fisheries and Oceans Canada observed North Atlantic right whale #1403, also known as “Meridian.” He was seen off the coast of Miscou Island, New Brunswick, Canada with an entanglement. Meridian is a 38-year-old adult male. The last time he was observed, in Massachusetts Bay in March 2022, he was not entangled in any fishing gear.
Meridian has had four prior entanglements that were resolved—three minor (in 1997, 2016, 2018) and one severe (in 2006), which involved rope embedded in and around the upper jaw. After reviewing photographs of this new entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that the current entanglement has resulted in a serious injury. This determination indicates he is likely to die from this injury.
Meridian is the 52nd right whale documented in the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event, which currently includes both dead and seriously injured whales.
Image
Sundog (Right Whale 3823): A Newly Entangled Right Whale
July 15, 2022
In May, Fisheries and Oceans Canada sighted North Atlantic right whale #3823, also known as “Sundog,” off the coast of Gaspe, Quebec, Canada with a mouth entanglement. Sundog is a 14-year-old adult female. The last time she was observed, in March 2022, she was not entangled in any fishing gear.
Sundog was previously entangled in 2016, but was partially disentangled by Center for Coastal Studies and later sighted gear-free. In 2018, a Center for Coastal Studies aerial survey documented her with extensive new injuries on her head, mouth, and tail consistent with an entanglement, although no gear was present.
After reviewing photographs of this new entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that the current entanglement has resulted in a serious injury. This indicates she is likely to die from this injury.
Sundog is the 51st right whale documented in the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event, which includes both dead and seriously injured whales.
NOAA Fisheries and our partners will continue to monitor Sundog.
Image
Snow Cone (Right Whale 3560) and Her Calf Seen Again Near Massachusetts in April
May 23, 2022
The entangled North Atlantic right whale Snow Cone (#3560) and her calf successfully navigated the journey of more than 1,000 miles from the southeast calving grounds. They were re-sighted off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts via aerial survey at the end of April.
Her overall condition and entanglement seems similar to what was observed at her last sighting in February, though she is now thinner and the fishing rope wound is more apparent. Snow Cone’s calf appears to be in good condition.
Our partners at the Center for Coastal Studies attempted vessel responses as weather permitted, but were unable to remove more gear. This situation is extremely difficult given the presence of her calf and that the embedded and entangled rope involves the mouth and baleen and is near her eye.
NOAA Fisheries and our partners will continue to monitor Snow Cone and her calf. Remember to give right whales space. If you see Snow Cone and her calf or any other right whale, move at least 500 yards away—it’s safest for you and the whales, and it’s the law.
Snow Cone is the 50th right whale documented in the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event, which includes both dead and seriously injured whales. The UME was declared in 2017.
This intrepid mom and her calf were last sighted on April 29. If you spot them, please call the Northeast Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding and Entanglement Hotline at (866) 755-NOAA ((866) 755-6622).
Snow Cone and her calf were first sighted on December 2, 2021 and have been spotted multiple times since then.
Image
Snow Cone (Right Whale 3560): Entangled Mother and Her Newborn Calf
February 18, 2022
Image
The entangled North Atlantic right whale #3560, also known as “Snow Cone,'' gave birth to her calf at the end of 2021. Snow Cone and her calf have been sighted twice in February 2022. The first sighting, on February 12, was 30 miles south of Savannah, Georgia. Only five days later, Snow Cone and her calf were seen 135 miles south, near Daytona Beach, Florida!
More about Snow Cone and her calf, and how we and our partners are monitoring their situation
Half Note (Right Whale 1301) and Her 2022 Calf
February 1, 2022
Image
On January 18, 2022, right whale #1301, also known as “Half Note,” and her newborn calf were first sighted off Sea Island, Georgia. Experts noted the calf was very thin and had whale lice on its flukes, which often indicate poor health.
More recent sightings of Half Note and her calf documented shark bites and damaged tissue on the calf’s tail and flukes. NOAA Fisheries and our partners collected additional images and samples on January 31, including small skin and blubber biopsies from both mother and calf. These will help us better understand potential causes of the calf’s poor body condition and Half Note’s poor rate of reproductive success. Unfortunately, there are no rescue or other intervention options for rehabilitation or treatment of a large whale calf in this condition. We are trying to learn what we can to improve prospects for Half Note and her calf, and other right whales in the future.
Selected Past Cases
- January 31, 2022, Snow Cone Watch: Updates on Entangled Right Whale Mother and Newborn Calf
- February 28, 2021, Adult North Atlantic Right Whale Found Dead off South Carolina
- February 14, 2021, North Atlantic Right Whale Calf Stranded Dead in Florida
- January 8, 2021 Report of the Health Assessment Workshop for North Atlantic Right Whales
- November 23, 2020, First Known North Atlantic Right Whale Calf of the Season Washes Up Dead off North Carolina
- October 20, 2020, Entangled North Atlantic Right Whale Spotted off Nantucket
- October 12, 2020, Entangled North Atlantic Right Whale Spotted off New Jersey
- June 25, 2020, North Atlantic Right Whale Carcass off New Jersey
- February 28, 2020, Emaciated Adult Female North Atlantic Right Whale Spotted Entangled off Nantucket
- January 13, 2020, North Atlantic Right Whale Calf Injured by Vessel Strike
How Can You Help
Give Right Whales Space—It’s the Law
- Remain 500 yards away—about 1/4 mile (about 1 football field). These regulations apply to vessels and aircrafts (including drones) and to people using other watercrafts, such as surfboards, kayaks, and jet skis.
- Any vessel finding itself within 500 yards of a right whale must depart immediately at a safe, slow speed
- When encountering marine mammals, slow down, operate at no-wake speed. Put your engine in neutral when whales approach to pass.
- Avoid approaching whales, dolphins, and porpoises especially when calves are present. Never put your watercraft between a mother and calf.
Report Stranded or Injured Whales
Do not approach injured or dead marine animals, including whales. The most important step you can take to assist professional responders and scientists is to immediately report any sightings of injured, stranded, or dead whales. In the United States, make a report by calling the Greater Atlantic Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at (866) 755-6622 or the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at (877) 433-8299.
In Canada, call the Marine Animal Response Society at (866) 567-6277 or the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network at (877) 722-5346.
You can also contact the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards on VHF Channel 16.
Learn more about how you can help North Atlantic right whales