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West Coast Gray Whale Estimate Shows Increase, New Count Determines

The reasons for the apparent increase remain an open question.
July 15, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
An aerial view of four gray whales swimming through clear blue ocean water. Gray whales migrating south past the Granite Station field site recorded via Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) or drone. This photograph will be used to calibrate group size and measure body condition. Photo collected under NMFS research permit 22306 and NMS permit MULTI-2024-003-A1.

2025 Species Recovery Grant Awardees Announced

NOAA awards $4.2 million to support 19 state and tribal projects advancing recovery of threatened and endangered species.
July 07, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Slightly overhead photo of two white abalone with pink and red buildup on their shells. The abalone are on top of a rock sitting on sandy floor. White abalone. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries Awards $3.8 Million for Marine Mammal Rescue Efforts through Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grants

Prescott Grants will provide funding to 41 recipients in 19 states and two tribes for fiscal year 2025.
June 23, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Grey seal released onto the beach with responders holding barriers behind the seal Gray seal, Louis Armstrong, is released at Assateague Island National Seashore following rehabilitation at National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. Credit: National Aquarium

7 Ways El Niño and Large Marine Heatwave Could Affect West Coast Marine Species

Dual influences may shift fisheries, could signal hard times for salmon.
June 12, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Two commercial fishing boats using bright overhead lights while operating at night. Vessels from the West Coast squid fleet followed market squid north into Oregon as ocean waters warmed, leading Oregon to adopt its first regulations for squid fishing in the state. Photo courtesy of California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Good News Stories for Endangered Species Day 2026

This Endangered Species Day, we’re highlighting conservation successes and progress made toward the recovery of endangered species.
May 15, 2026 - Feature Story ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
International
Swimming adult steelhead Adult female and male steelhead. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries Announces Availability of $99 Million for Pacific Salmon

Funds support state and tribal projects to conserve and restore salmon on the West Coast and Alaska
April 30, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Male and female steelhead swimming underwater Male and female steelhead. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Is It a Dolphin or a Porpoise?

Dolphins and porpoises are both cetaceans, but they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Learn how to recognize a dolphin vs. a porpoise.
April 28, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
An infographic from NOAA Fisheries illustrates the physical and behavioral differences between dolphins and porpoises, highlighting distinctions in their faces, teeth, fins, and social tendencies. At first glance, dolphins and porpoises look similar. Taking a closer look, there are some general differences that distinguish these animals. See the common bottlenose dolphin (left) and harbor porpoise (right) pictured above.

50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California

Scientists use decades of research to make connections between environmental conditions and malnourished sea lions pups along the California coast.
March 27, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
A California sea lion mother rests on a sandy beach with her head up, eyes closed, and standing on her flippers, while her pup lies across her belly. Behind her are more sea lions and the water's edge. A California sea lion with her pup on the beach at San Miguel Island. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #16087. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Record 30,000 Endangered Central California Coast Coho Salmon Return to Mendocino Coast Rivers

Back-to-back record spawning seasons suggest that reconnecting tributaries and restoring salmon habitat is supporting Central California Coast Coho population growth. NOAA has funded more than 100 restoration projects on the Mendocino Coast.
March 26, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
A large green-ish fish with a red stripe and black spots swims in a shallow, rocky stream Adult CCC coho spawning at Neefus Gulch. Trout Unlimited removed a fish passage barrier at this location with NOAA funding in 2024. Credit: Christie Hemm Klok/Trout Unlimited

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.
March 24, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Southern Resident killer whale J16 breaches near the San Juan Islands, with J26 nearby. The Southern Residents have spent less time in and around the San Juan Islands during summer in recent years. Southern Resident killer whale J16 breaches near the San Juan Islands, with J26 nearby. The Southern Residents have spent less time in and around the San Juan Islands during summer in recent years. Photo by Katy Foster/NOAA Fisheries, under permit 18786.