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Examination Continues into Cause of Whale’s Death on Martha’s Vineyard

North Atlantic right whale on Martha’s Vineyard had a chronic entanglement and was seen in poor health before its death. Experts are examining the rope and other samples collected from the whale.
February 05, 2024 - Feature Story ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
deceased female North Atlantic right whale Deceased female North Atlantic right whale. Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute/Michael Moore. Taken under NOAA Permit # 24359.

Whales on the Brink: Making Strides in Marine Mammal Research and Protection

NOAA Fisheries and partners convened an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the discovery of the Rice’s whale, and recent advancements in marine mammal research and conservation.
February 01, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Southeast
National
A large group of people smile in front of an ocean-themed backdrop in a museum NOAA staff stand by the new Rice’s whale exhibit (far right) in Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Paul Hillman

NOAA Announces Confirmed Large Whale Entanglement Numbers in 2022

There were 67 large whale entanglement cases in 2022—a slight decrease from 2021, and slightly below the historical average.
January 22, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Large whale entanglement responders attemot to free an entangled minke whale. One responder is in the bow of the boat and holding the control line while another use a dive mask to better visualize the entanglement configuration. Responders from the Center for Coastal Studies work to free an entangled minke whale on June 29, 2022. The animal was anchored in place after the whale had bitten down on a 20-pot trawl line. The team was able to cut the buoy line near the whale’s mouth, and the fisherman was able to recover the gear. Credit: Center for Coastal Studies; NOAA Permit No. 18786

Documenting the Elusive North Pacific Right Whale

North Atlantic right whales get a lot of attention. In this episode, we learn a little about their lesser known West Coast cousins: North Pacific right whales, whose numbers are dramatically low.
January 11, 2024 - Podcast ,
Alaska
West Coast
north-pacific-right-whale.jpg North Pacific right whale. Credit: Brenda K. Rone

Warming in the Bering Sea Impacts Phytoplankton Bloom Type

Timing of spring phytoplankton blooms affects the food web.
December 22, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Satellite view of the Bering Sea during spring Bering Sea in bloom on May 15, 2002. Credit: NASA

NOAA Fisheries Releases 2023 Ecosystem Status Reports for Alaska

Reports provide a synthesis of current conditions and trends in indicators of ecosystem health.
December 15, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Topographic map of the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea. 3D render and imaging of topographic map of Alaska showing the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea. Satellite images courtesy of NASA. Credit: Frank Ramspott

2023 Recap: Our Most Popular Marine Stories, Podcasts, Photos, and Videos

To wrap up the year, check out the most popular stories, photos, videos, and podcasts of 2023.
December 15, 2023 - Feature Story ,
National
Multiple schools of colorful fish blanket a coral reef. Fish community on a reef offshore of Baker Island, a remote equatorial island. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jeff Milisen

NOAA Fisheries Releases Report on Killer Whale Entanglements in Alaska from 1991–2022

New technical memorandum provides 31 years of killer whale entanglement history in Alaska.
December 14, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Killer whales swim in the waters off Alaska Killer whales swim in the waters off Alaska. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/John Moran

Right Whale “Horton” Keeps Fighting to Save Her Species

Known mom gives birth to third calf, but is it enough?
December 13, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Southeast
Known North Atlantic Right Whale, "Horton" and her new calf, NOAA Permit #26919 Known North Atlantic Right Whale, "Horton" and her new calf, Photo: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute/NOAA Permit #26919 funded by United States Army Corps of Engineers

Vocal Repertoire of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales Documented for the First Time

Vital communications among the critically endangered population may be masked by ship noise in their core critical habitat, new research finds.
December 11, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Photograph of four white belugas near a beach Cook Inlet beluga whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Arial Brewer