Join us in celebrating Whale Week, February 9–15, 2026! Whales are among the largest and oldest animals on Earth. They can be found in every ocean and range in size from the small dwarf sperm whale to the massive blue whale, the largest animal on the planet.
At NOAA Fisheries, we work to ensure the conservation and protection of all marine mammals. This Whale Week, explore whale science and conservation through the features and videos below.
Follow along on our NOAA Fisheries social media channels and stay tuned for more content throughout the week.
Whale Week Feature Stories
Endangered Killer Whales Known for Isolation May Depend on Their Interaction with Other Populations
Scientists describe an additional factor affecting the future of Southern Residents. In a recent study, scientists report that a fifth factor—interactions with other killer whale populations—may determine their future. They say such interactions may take three forms: competition for prey, sharing habitat, and interbreeding.
More on the recent study on endangered killer whales
Celebrate Whale Week with Us: A Message from Director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources Kim Damon-Randall
Celebrate Whale Week 2026 with us! This week, we’re spotlighting the technology we use to study whales, how to watch whales responsibly, and what you can do to help these iconic animals.
Read the Whale Week 2026 leadership message
International Survey Counts Bowhead and Beluga Whales in the Beaufort Sea
In 2025, NOAA and the Alaska North Slope Borough successfully completed an aerial survey to count bowhead and beluga whales in the U.S. and Canadian Beaufort Seas and Amundsen Gulf. It will directly contribute to continued food security of Iñupiat and Inuvialuit communities in villages of the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic.
Learn how scientists survey whales from the air in the Arctic
Messaging Mariners in Real Time to Reduce North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strikes
A new real-time messaging network uses a well-established maritime navigation safety technology—the Automatic Identification System—to reduce the risk of vessel strikes involving North Atlantic right whales. This outreach tool is part of our broader efforts to use transformational technologies to address threats to the right whale.
Read more about the AIS alert network in North Atlantic right whale habitat
Follow the Whales: How Tagging Supports Whale Research and Rescue
To track the movements of whales, scientists and emergency responders use electronic tags. These tags rely on the same technology—telemetry—that lets people navigate with GPS or find a lost smartphone. It’s not possible to tag every whale, and telemetry devices aren’t permanent. But the data we gather from even one animal helps us better understand and conserve whale populations.
Find out how we use telemetry tags to study whales
Three-Dimensional Acoustic Tracking Sheds Light on Beaked Whale Dive Behavior and Acoustic Detection
Beaked whales are one of the ocean’s most elusive groups of whales. They are notoriously difficult to study because they spend little time at the surface to be seen during traditional infrequent visual surveys. Passive acoustic monitoring offers a powerful alternative. Tracking beaked whales using sound helps scientists better understand their dive behavior.
Read more about our efforts to track beaked whales in the Southeast
NOAA Fisheries Launches Underwater Glider Challenge in Hawai‘i
NOAA Fisheries is leading a major effort to evaluate how next-generation ocean gliders can transform ocean monitoring and whale conservation, while also benefitting U.S. fishermen and ocean industries.
Check out the underwater gliders listening for whales
Detecting Whales from Space: Geospatial Artificial Intelligence For Animals
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center is breaking new ground in the detection of marine mammals, including whales. With partners, our scientists are developing a way to spot whales in very high-resolution satellite imagery, using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing.
Learn how we use satellites and artificial intelligence to detect whales
First Joint NOAA Killer Whale Survey Examines Endangered Southern Residents’ Shift to Coast
NOAA Fisheries and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary combined forces in a September survey of endangered Southern Resident killer whales. The survey sought to unravel what is behind the whales’ shift to the more remote coastal waters.
Explore new insights on the range of killer whales
Collecting Whale “Snot,” and Other High-Tech Ways to Assess Endangered Whale Health
Understanding how different stressors influence whale health can make species conservation actions more precise and effective. But studying whale health is uniquely challenging, because they are highly mobile and spend most of their life underwater. Methods include flying drones to capture high-resolution images of individuals and to collect samples of blow (i.e., whale breath or “snot”).
Learn how scientists are upgrading their methods of studying whale health
A Day in the Life of a Scientist Tagging Sperm Whales
A team at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center spent the summer studying the demographics and foraging behavior of sperm whales. The data collected during this survey gives a window into what these deep-diving giants are doing when they dive into the abyss.
Follow along with our whale scientists on a day at sea
Conserving Long-Lived Species: The Importance of Monitoring Decades-Old Individuals
Conservation of long-lived species like whales requires continued monitoring of individuals. Meet some of the animals that have been known to scientists for decades.
Get to know killer whale “Sequim” and right whale “Pediddle”
Whale Week Videos and Podcasts
Video: Tagging a Rice's Whale With a Drone
NOAA Fisheries and partners got an up-close look at the life of endangered Rice's whales by using drones to deploy suction cup tags. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Ocean Alliance (Permit #21938)
Video: What Does it Mean to Have Whale Sense?
Watching whales in their natural habitat is an incredible experience—but it must be done in a way that doesn't disturb or harm them. Learn how to find a whale watching company that is committed to safe and respectful whale-watching practices.
Video: Wondrous Whales
Check out the various species of whales in the United States.
Podcast: Gray Whales on the Rebound: Signs of Hope Despite Challenges
California's gray whales are an iconic and beloved species, visible to spectators even from shore during their migrations.
Listen to the podcast on this positive sign for gray whales
Whales: Did You Know?
Identifying Whale Species
Do you know how to tell apart different species of whales? The guides below will help you identify a variety of endangered species and learn what to do if you encounter them.
How to identify North Atlantic right whales
How to identify North Pacific right whales
5 Icebreakers About Bowhead Whales
Conversation starters about an Arctic whale.
10 Wonderful Whale Facts
How much do you know about different species of whales? As we celebrate Whale Week, take a look at some interesting tidbits and see if you learn something new about these majestic creatures.
Check out 10 wonderful whale facts
Do Not Move Stranded Whales, Dolphins, or Porpoises
Live whales, dolphins, and porpoises that strand on land need specialized emergency care and should only be returned to the water by authorized and trained professionals.
Learn what to do if you come across a live whale, dolphin, or porpoise on the beach
Three Active Unusual Mortality Events
Along the Atlantic coast, three populations of whales are experiencing Unusual Mortality Events. Understanding and investigating these events is important because they can serve as indicators of ocean health.
Read about current Unusual Mortality Events
