Welcome to Whale Week 2026!
Whales are one of nature’s most awe-inspiring animals. Whale watching tours are so popular, in fact, that they boost U.S. coastal economies. And whales serve as vital indicators of the overall health of the ocean. As long-lived, slow-growing species, the health of both individual whales and their populations’ can provide insights into potential changes or stressors in the ocean.
This year, we invite you to take a deeper dive into several key areas about how we address risks to whales while promoting marine industries: how technology is advancing our understanding of whales, how whale watching companies are implementing "Whale SENSE" practices, and actionable ways you can help these magnificent creatures.
Monitoring Whales with Advanced Technology
Whales spend most of their lives out of sight underwater, only surfacing to breathe. We often depend on advanced technologies to monitor and learn about them. As technology evolves, NOAA researchers are continually exploring and utilizing these new advancements.
One approach involves temporarily attaching digital acoustic recording tags with suction cups. There is an ongoing project using these tags on sperm whales in the Gulf of America. This type of tag allows scientists to track the whales' movement and behavior during dives, and to collect sloughed skin from the suction cups for genetic analysis. The resulting data help us understand how multiple stressors affect the feeding activity, habitat use, and survival of the sperm whale population in the Gulf.
Another key initiative is the Geospatial Artificial Intelligence for Animals. GAIA uses satellite technology and artificial intelligence to remotely detect whales and other marine mammals from space. NOAA, in collaboration with public and private partners, is integrating very high-resolution satellite imagery with advanced cloud computing, geospatial analysis, and machine learning. This effort aims to build a scalable, automated detection system. The platform will help scientists locate endangered species like North Atlantic right whales and Cook Inlet belugas. Knowing where these whales are helps us reduce interactions between these endangered species and marine industries.
Watching Whales Responsibly with Whale SENSE
Whale watching is a thrilling experience, offering a chance to see these animals in their natural environment. Wildlife tourism provides economic benefits to coastal communities by employing tour operators and generating income for local hotels and restaurants. It’s also a powerful way to promote conservation and respect for marine wildlife and their ecosystems. Responsible viewing is essential to prevent harm to whales as well as those watching them.
We are proud to continue our collaboration with commercial whale watching operators in the U.S. Atlantic and Alaska Regions who participate in Whale SENSE. Whale SENSE is a voluntary education and recognition program that highlights companies dedicated to responsible viewing practices. Participating companies agree to adhere to five specific criteria:
S: Stick to the whale watch guidelines
E: Educate passengers and crew
N: Notify official of whales in distress
S: Set an example for other boaters
E: Encourage ocean stewardship
Learn what it means to have Whale SENSE
What You Can Do to Help Whales
You can do your part to help whales by making conscious choices in and around the water. Here’s how:
See a Spout, Watch Out
When whales come up to the surface to breathe, they create a spout of mist. If you see a whale spout while boating, slow your vessel to a safer speed (10 knots or less) to avoid striking a whale.
Give Whales Space
View whales from a safe and respectful distance for their safety—and yours. Stay at least 100 yards away by sea or land, unless more restrictive rules apply.
Report Whales in Distress
If you see a dead, stranded, or injured whale, contact your local marine mammal stranding network for help.
Whale Watch Responsibly
Take a whale watching tour with companies that follow best practices to safely operate around whales or watch whales safely from shore.
Report Endangered Whale Sightings
Call the NOAA hotlines if you see any right whales or Rice’s whales. Every sighting you report helps us learn more about these endangered species.
While this is officially Whale Week, we are dedicated to whale conservation year-round. We promote a sustainable coexistence between whales and thriving marine industries. Our goal is to ensure whales remain significant, functioning elements of their ecosystems. We are committed to using the best available scientific information and collaborating with partner agencies to achieve this. Please join us during Whale Week to explore these ongoing efforts and discover how you can support whales.
