North Atlantic Right Whale Health Updates
The latest on North Atlantic right whale health and stranding incidents, including those involving Unusual Mortality Event cases.
Endangered North Atlantic right whales are highly vulnerable to extinction. An Unusual Mortality Event was declared for North Atlantic right whales in 2017, and currently includes 176 individuals (43 dead, 41 seriously injured, and 92 sublethally injured or ill). The primary causes of the UME are entanglements in fishing gear and vessel strikes in both U.S. and Canadian waters, which are long-standing threats to the recovery of the species.
Entangled North Atlantic Right Whale 5192 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada
June 16, 2026
On June 8, 2026, an aerial survey team with observers from NOAA Fisheries and Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada reported an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. They identified the whale as the 5-year-old male #5192. His last gear-free sighting in the United States was on April 21, 2026, in Massachusetts Bay.
#5192 was documented swimming with a line along the left side of his mouth, trailing behind his flukes, and sinking into the water column. Responders sighted the whale again on June 10 near the Magdalen Islands and attempted to attach a satellite tag; however, they were unsuccessful due to inclement weather. We will continue to work with our Canadian colleagues, including trained and authorized entanglement responders, to monitor and document this case, and assess potential interventions.
#5192 is already included in the Unusual Mortality Event as a 2022 morbidity injury from wounds consistent with a prior entanglement. After reviewing this new entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that it meets the Unusual Mortality Event criteria as a "serious injury" case. This means that the whale is likely to die as a result of the entanglement.
2023 Calf of Right Whale 3293 Found Dead Off Virginia
February 12, 2026
On February 10, 2026, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center notified NOAA Fisheries of a dead North Atlantic right whale on a barrier island off Virginia’s eastern shore. The New England Aquarium reviewed images and confirmed the carcass is a 3-year-old female, the 2023 calf of right whale #3293 “Porcia.”
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Biologists from The Nature Conservancy found the carcass. It is in a remote area with limited access. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute aerial survey team out of North Carolina was able to locate and further photograph the carcass. NOAA Fisheries is working with Marine Mammal Stranding Network partners to examine, document, and necropsy the carcass to the extent possible, given the logistically challenging location. Towing the carcass to another beach for examination is not feasible due to the characteristics of the stranding site.
This death marks the 43rd mortality in the ongoing Unusual Mortality Event impacting North Atlantic right whales.
Entangled Right Whale “Division” (5217) Found Dead off North Carolina
April 21, 2026: Rope Recovered from Division Identified as Canadian
NOAA Fisheries and Fisheries and Oceans Canada conducted careful analyses of the gear removed from North Atlantic right whale “Division” (#5217). We concluded that the markings are consistent with those used in Canada in Snow Crab Fishing Area 12, which is in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Canada recently released their findings. NOAA continues to work closely with our Canadian colleagues on the details of this case.
January 30, 2026
NOAA Fisheries and our partners have monitored the movements of right whale “Division” (#5217) via telemetry since his partial disentanglement in December 2025. Tracking showed he moved north into waters off of New England, then back south again. Aerial visual assessments showed declining health and worsening injuries due to his entanglement. Poor weather and his distance from shore prevented teams from conducting further boat-based disentanglement efforts. Recently, the satellite track began showing a movement pattern more consistent with drifting than active travel.
On January 27, a Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute aerial survey team flew over the area of recent telemetry transmissions off of North Carolina. Despite unfavorable weather and high seas, teams documented a floating partial carcass approximately 25 miles offshore of Avon, North Carolina. Scientists from the New England Aquarium reviewed images of the carcass and confirmed it was Division. Due to the weather-related dangerous ocean conditions and distance from shore, there will be no attempts to recover the carcass and bring it to shore for examination. Disentanglement teams transferred the gear they removed in December to NOAA for documentation and analysis.
We previously added Division to the ongoing Unusual Mortality Event as a “serious injury” case, meaning he was likely to die as a result of his entanglement. He will now be moved to the mortality total for dead animals documented in the UME. Our dedicated partners made every possible effort to save this whale.
Division’s case provided a unique opportunity to track the movement of an entangled right whale throughout its habitat. This valuable insight will help inform future responses.
December 12, 2025
On the morning of December 4, 2025, the Georgia-based aerial survey team from Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute re-located entangled right whale #5217 “Division” near St. Simons Island, Georgia. On-water response teams joined the aircraft to further document the entanglement and monitor the whale’s behavior. They included authorized responders from NOAA Fisheries, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The aerial survey team from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission later joined the effort to relieve the first aircraft. The teams consulted partners at the Center for Coastal Studies to strategize the response operations.
On-water teams approached Division closely to better position themselves for carefully planned cuts. They attempted a number of approaches throughout the morning. In the early afternoon, responders cut the line passing over the left side of Division’s head and blowholes. This enabled them to remove and retrieve line that was cutting into and trailing from Division’s left flipper. We will examine the removed line to determine its origin.
Before ending response activities for the day, responders shortened the line exiting the right side of the mouth. Following standard procedures, they reattached a telemetry buoy to the remaining entangling gear to more easily locate the whale in the short term and track the gear if it is shed. Drag from the buoy may also help the remaining gear to shift and be shed by the whale, although this outcome is uncertain. Unsafe weather over the following days has prevented survey aircraft flights or another on-water response attempt.
Although response teams made significant progress removing some of the line, gear is still present and Division’s injuries remain serious. The National Large Whale Entanglement Response Network is aware and remains on standby to document and respond again if possible.
We thank our partners who supported this multi-day response and continue to monitor Division:
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute
- Center for Coastal Studies
December 8, 2025
On December 3, 2025, an aerial survey team from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission saw an entangled North Atlantic right whale off Jekyll Island, Georgia. The whale was identified as right whale "Division" (#5217), a juvenile male born in 2022. He was last seen gear-free in July in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. This is a very complex entanglement. The whale has several lines wrapping his head and mouth, including one cutting into his blowhole. The line also trails beyond the flukes.
After reviewing the entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that it meets the Unusual Mortality Event criteria as a “serious injury” case. This designation means that Division is likely to die as a result of this entanglement.
Authorized and trained responders from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources were able to remove some gear on December 3. They had assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute aerial and vessel survey teams. They also attached a telemetry buoy to the remaining entangling gear to more easily locate and track the whale. This allowed for responders to document and remove more gear on December 4.
We will continue to work with authorized responders and trained experts to further document the entanglement and monitor the whale. We will conduct further entanglement response efforts as the whale’s condition, weather, and resightings allow. Human safety for the responders and other involved parties remains our top priority.
Division is the 168th individual documented in the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event, which includes dead, seriously injured, or otherwise health-compromised whales.
Mariners are encouraged to report sightings of entangled, injured, or dead whales:
- Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline for North Carolina to Texas: (877) WHALE-HELP/(877) 942-5343
- Greater Atlantic Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline for Maine to Virginia: (866) 755-6622
- U.S. Coast Guard: VHF Channel 16
Responding to entangled large whales is inherently dangerous and only trained and authorized responders should approach. If safe, and from the legally required 500-yard distance, please take photos or video and note the GPS coordinates to share with authorized responders.
Entangled North Atlantic Right Whale off Plymouth, Massachusetts
May 20, 2026: Analyses Conclude Recovered Gear Originated From Massachusetts
NOAA Fisheries conducted careful analyses of the gear removed on January 18, 2026, from the 2025 calf of North Atlantic right whale #2460 “Monarch.” We concluded that the whale is entangled in gear from a single lobster trap set in Massachusetts state waters (Cape Cod Bay), based on the gear markings and recovered buoy. View the full gear analysis report.
The whale is still entangled as of the most recent sighting on April 16, 2026. After reviewing the entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that it meets the Unusual Mortality Event criteria as a “serious injury” case. This means the whale is likely to die as a result of the entanglement. If there are more sightings, we will document the remaining entanglement and determine if further entanglement responses are possible.
January 21, 2026
On January 17, 2026, members of the public notified NOAA Fisheries of an entangled North Atlantic right whale in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. Scientists from the New England Aquarium identified the whale as the 2025 calf of right whale #2460 “Monarch.” Initial documentation showed line wrapped around the whale’s tail and fluke, towing a buoy approximately 30 feet behind. Authorized and trained responders from the Center for Coastal Studies were able to assess and further document the entanglement configuration and the whale’s condition. They attached a telemetry buoy to the entangling material.
On January 18, response teams from the Center for Coastal Studies, with support from the Massachusetts Environmental Police, saw the whale again, still within Cape Cod Bay. The response team attached large floats to the entangling material, an adaptation of an old whaling technique called “kegging.” These floats help slow the whale down and keep it closer to the surface. The team was able to recover some gear from the whale. However, the telemetry buoy placed on the first day detached during the operation. Due to unsafe weather and sea conditions, coupled with fading daylight, the team stood down for the day.
Although response teams made progress, gear is still entangling the whale. We will continue to work with authorized responders and trained experts to further document the entanglement and monitor the whale. The teams will conduct further entanglement response efforts as the whale’s condition, weather, and resightings allow. Human safety for the responders remains our top priority.
The calf will be added to the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event. Scientists are still assessing the severity of the injury.
If you see an entangled, injured, or dead whale, immediately contact one of the following:
- Greater Atlantic Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline for Maine to Virginia: (866) 755-6622
- Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline for North Carolina to Texas: (877) WHALE-HELP/(877) 942-5343
- U.S. Coast Guard: VHF Channel 16
Two Right Whales, 5110 and 4120, Seen Entangled Far Off the Coast of Massachusetts
April 21, 2025: #5110 is Resighted and Teams Respond
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On April 10, 2025, an aerial survey team from the Center for Coastal Studies saw entangled North Atlantic right whale #5110. He was swimming within a group of right whales feeding in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. The Marine Animal Entanglement Response team from the Center for Coastal Studies was able to remove a small amount of gear from #5110. However, he is still entangled with lines caught in his mouth.
#5110 was first seen entangled on December 9, 2024; we added him to the ongoing Unusual Mortality Event as a serious injury case. The entanglement configuration has changed since his last sighting, but his entanglement injuries remain a serious injury. Unfortunately, there is minimal trailing line, which makes it more difficult for responders to safely remove the entangling material. Responders will continue to keep a lookout for him.
February 18, 2025: #4120 Is Now Gear-Free
On February 9, 2025, a Center for Coastal Studies aerial survey team saw North Atlantic right whale #4120 swimming in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. #4120 appears to have shed her entangling gear and is now gear-free. This was the first sighting of #4120 since she was seen entangled in December.
The full extent to which this entanglement affected the health of #4120 remains unclear. We and our partners will continue to monitor and document this whale.
While this is good news for #4120, North Atlantic right whales remain vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes.
North Atlantic right whale #5110 has not been seen since he was documented entangled on December 9, 2024. That entanglement met the unusual mortality event criteria of a serious injury. Responders will continue to keep a lookout for him.
December 17, 2024
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On December 9, 2024, a NOAA Fisheries aerial survey reported two entangled North Atlantic right whales swimming approximately 50 miles southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The first whale was identified as the juvenile male #5110. He was first seen as a calf in 2021 and most recently seen gear-free in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts, in April 2024. This whale has a thick line that passes once across his head and once across his back. After reviewing the entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that it meets the Unusual Mortality Event criteria as a “serious injury” case. This designation signifies #5110 is likely to die from this injury.
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The second whale was identified as the adult female #4120, who was first seen as a calf in 2011. She was most recently seen gear-free approximately 50 miles off the coast of Long Island, New York, in July 2024. This whale has two lines exiting the left side of her mouth, with both lines extending a half to two thirds of the way down the body. After reviewing the entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that it meets the Unusual Mortality Event criteria as a “morbidity” (sublethal injury) case.
Entanglement response teams did not mount a response after the initial sighting because of the time of day and the distance of the whales from shore. However, as conditions permit, we will work with authorized responders and trained experts to monitor the whales. We will further document the entanglements and determine if entanglement responses will be possible.
Right whales #5110 and #4120 are the 149th and 150th individuals documented in the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event, which includes dead, seriously injured, or otherwise health-compromised whales.
Mariners are encouraged to report sightings of entangled, injured, or dead whales:
- Greater Atlantic Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline for Maine to Virginia: (866) 755-6622
- Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline for North Carolina to Texas: (877) WHALE-HELP ((877) 942-5343)
- U.S. Coast Guard: VHF Channel 16
If safe, and from the legally required 500-yard distance, please take photos or video and note the GPS coordinates to share with authorized responders.
Recent Entanglement Cases in Canadian Waters
February 18, 2025: #3301 and #4040 Are Now Gear-Free
Case 1: Neptune #3301
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On January 25, 2025, while conducting Mid-Atlantic whale surveys for the Navy, HDR, Inc., saw North Atlantic right whale Neptune (#3301) swimming off the coast of Virginia. Neptune appears to have shed his entangling gear and is now gear-free. This was the first sighting of Neptune since he was documented entangled in August 2024.
Case 2: Chiminea #4040
On December 18, 2024, a Northeast Fisheries Science Center aerial survey team saw North Atlantic right whale Chiminea (#4040) southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Chiminea appears to have shed her entangling gear and is now gear-free. This was the first sighting of Chiminea since she was documented entangled in September.
The full extent to which these entanglements affected Neptune’s or Chiminea’s health remains unclear. We and our partners will continue to monitor and document these whales.
While this is good news for Neptune and Chiminea, North Atlantic right whales remain vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes.
September 30, 2024
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On September 30, 2024, NOAA Fisheries updated the Unusual Mortality Event injury categories of two North Atlantic right whales recently reported in Canadian waters.
Case 1: Neptune #3301
On August 3, 2024, a Canadian Whale Institute/New England Aquarium vessel survey reported an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Shediac Valley in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. The whale was identified as “Neptune” (#3301), a male last seen gear-free on June 6, 2024 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The full entanglement configuration remains unclear, but line was seen exiting the left side of his mouth. Canadian entanglement response teams were not able to respond to him that day given unsafe weather conditions, and he has not been resighted since.
Neptune was born in 2003. His name comes from his convex (Roman) rostrum and unique scarring pattern, which reminded researchers of oceanic fault lines and the Roman god of the sea, Neptune. He is the only surviving calf of Half Note (#1301)—a mom who has lost seven of her eight documented calves, including her 2024 calf.
Neptune was already included in the Unusual Mortality Event as a 2019 morbidity case as he had injuries consistent with entanglement. After reviewing photographs of his new entanglement, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made the preliminary determination that Neptune now meets the “serious injury” criteria. This means he is likely to die as a result of his injuries. We will update the UME to reflect his new injuries.
Case 2: Chiminea #4040
On September 18, 2024, a Transport Canada aerial survey saw an entangled right whale north of the Gaspé Peninsula, Canada. The whale, identified as female “Chiminea” (#4040), has two buoys close to her right lip. There is line exiting the left side of her mouth, trailing behind her flukes, and sinking into the water column. Chiminea was last seen without gear on September 13, 2024 off Anticosti Island, Canada.
Chiminea was born in 2008 and was seen with her first confirmed calf in December 2020. She was named for the overall shape of her callosity pattern which reminded researchers of outdoor wood stoves with smoke billowing from the chimney.
Chiminea was already included in the Unusual Mortality Event as a 2023 morbidity injury from an unknown cause. Her new 2024 injury is more severe. She will remain as a morbidity case, although we will update the UME to reflect her 2024 injuries.
We will continue to work with our Canadian and U.S. colleagues, including trained and authorized entanglement responders, to monitor and document Neptune, Chiminea, and other North Atlantic right whales.
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