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Let Qualified Experts Respond to Entangled Whales!

When well-intentioned members of the public take matters into their own hands to try and save a whale, they put themselves and the animals in grave danger.
August 12, 2022 - Feature Story ,
National
A photo Showing how complex entanglements are Line and buoys wrapped tightly around a humpback whale’s tail. While entanglements may appear straightforward when viewed from the surface, they are often complex and involve many wraps that are not easily removed without specialized equipment. Credit: Pieter Folkens (NOAA Permit # 18786-04).

Whales Hitting Boats – Conservation and Conflict

A biologist’s perspective on collaboration and enforcement.
August 10, 2022 - Feature Story ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Jumping fish avoid an open humpback whale's mouth A humpback whale feeding on menhaden close to shore in Plymouth, MA. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Humpback Whale: From Photo to Postage Stamp

Young researcher captured image that will send envelopes across the nation.
August 05, 2022 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Breaching humpback whale on U.S. Postal Service stamp Breaching humpback whale on U.S. Postal Service stamp. Courtesy of U.S. Postal Service.

Celebrating 50 Years of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

NOAA Fisheries marks 50 years of marine mammal science, conservation, and recovery under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
July 30, 2022 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Gray whales swimming Gray whales were nearly hunted to extinction by commercial whaling. Protections under the MMPA, ESA, and the end of commercial whaling have allowed the species to recover. Credit: NOAA Fisheries (Permit #19091).

Necropsy Team Puts Heart Into Examining a Whale Named “Spot”: A Valentine’s Day to Remember

For the love of whales, team sheds light on the death of a long-known humpback whale.
March 10, 2022 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Researchers plan their necropsy of the dead humpback, later identified as Spot, as the tide comes in on Killisnoo Island. Researchers plan their necropsy of the dead humpback, later identified as Spot, as the tide comes in on Killisnoo Island. Credit: NOAA Fisheries, Permit 18786

Flame: Juneau, Alaska’s Wildlife Superstar

Whale Week highlights a local favorite among whale watchers and the scientific community.
February 18, 2022 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Flame, SEAK #1538, taken near Juneau, Alaska in 2007. NOAA Permit 14245) Flame, SEAK #1538, taken near Juneau, Alaska in 2007. NOAA Permit 14245)

Necropsy Reveals Traumatic Brain Injury was Probable Cause of Death for Humpback Whale Calf

NOAA Fisheries responded to a dead 12-foot-long humpback whale calf on Oʻahu on February 6, 2022. The injury was likely caused by a vessel strike.
February 14, 2022 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
Trained team safely hauling a deceased humpback whale calf onto a table with a blue tarp. Preparing for postmortem examination at the University of Hawaiʻi Health and Stranding Lab. Credit: University of Hawaiʻi Health and Stranding Lab (NOAA Fisheries Permit #18786).

Encountering Giants: Inspiring Moments with Whales

Our scientists describe amazing moments they shared with humpback, killer, beaked, and sperm whales.
February 09, 2022 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Humpback whale under rainbow Humpback whale under rainbow. Credit: Shutterstock

NOAA-Led Team Works to Free Entangled Humpback Whale Reported off Kauaʻi

NOAA, the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the U.S. Coast Guard, and community partners help an entangled humpback whale off Kauaʻi.
January 31, 2022 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
Humpback whale tail peaking out of the ocean with a green telemetry tracking buoy. (January 16, 2022) The entangled humpback whale fluking before a dive with the green telemetry buoy attached to the trailing gear. Responders attached the tracking buoy to allow them to relocate the whale over multiple days. Credit: Captain Tara Leota (NOAA Fisheries Permit #18786-06).

Climate Extreme Intensifies Conflict Between People and Whales

New research aims to find win-win solutions to reduce whale entanglements in the West Coast Dungeness crab fishery.
November 29, 2021 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Humpback whale entangled in gill net.