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International Survey Counts Bowhead and Beluga Whales in the Beaufort Sea

Applied research collects data needed to ensure food security for Indigenous subsistence hunters in the United States and Canada.
February 12, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Four bowhead whales swim at the surface of dark turquoise water Bowhead whales. Image captured during the 2025 aerial survey over the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken while working under authority of NOAA Fisheries Research Permit #25563-02. Credit: NOAA Fisheries & CICOES / Skyla Walcott

Celebrate Whale Week with Us: A Message from Director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources Kim Damon-Randall

Join us for a celebration of whales while learning more about the types of technology we use to study these iconic animals, how to watch whales responsibly, and how you can help whales.
February 11, 2026 - Leadership Message ,
National
Photograph of a gray whale mother and her calf born this year on their northbound migration. Gray whale mother and her calf on their northbound migration. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Whale Week: Celebrating the Wonder of Whales

Celebrate Whale Week 2026 with us! Discover NOAA's work to study and conserve these magnificent marine mammals.
February 09, 2026 - Feature Story ,
National
Graphic for Whale Week featuring illustrations of long-finned pilot whale, sperm whale, beluga whale, and North Atlantic right whale

Workshop Targets High-Tech Ways to Assess Endangered Whale Health

Advanced technology can give us more complete data on the health of endangered whale populations, which helps us figure out how to most effectively support their recovery.
August 14, 2025 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
West Coast
A black and white Southern Resident killer whale leaping out of the water. The fin of another whale is visible and a boat and mountains are in the background. Southern resident killer whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Candice Emmons

Responders Prepare to Help Entangled Cook Inlet Beluga Whale

Agencies, businesses, organizations, and the local community come together to create a response plan.
October 24, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
response team plans and prepares gear The response team gathers to discuss plans and prepare gear to help an entangled Cook Inlet beluga spotted on October 1. Credit: Carrie Goertz, Alaska Sea Life Center, used with permission.

First Winter Foraging Ground For Endangered Cook Inlet Beluga Whales Identified

Whales were recorded foraging in Tuxedni Bay and River from September to May, some of the most undisturbed sections of their critical habitat.
July 15, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Scientist looking at scientific equipment near a lake with hills and trees

NOAA Fisheries to Delay New Aerial Survey for Cook Inlet Beluga Whales Until June 2025

Scientific team will continue conducting its photo-identification project this year using an uncrewed aerial system to estimate abundance and trends for this endangered whale population.
June 14, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Aerial view of an adult whale next to a juvenile swimming in dark water A Cook Inlet beluga adult (white) and juvenile (gray) swim in silty water. Credit: Hollis Europe & Jacob Barbaro/NOAA Fisheries. NOAA permit #20465.

Recent Prescott Grants Supporting Whale Conservation Partners

Our marine mammal network partners are leveraging the Prescott Grant Program's competitive grants to improve their stranding response and investigation capabilities for whale conservation.
February 26, 2024 - Feature Story ,
National
Humpback whale breaching out of the water in Maui, Hawai'i Humpback whale breaching off of Maui, Hawai’i. Credit: Ed Lyman taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #14097

Whale Week Highlights: A Message from Kim Damon-Randall, Director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources

Celebrate Whale Week 2024 with us! This week, we’re spotlighting large whale species, climate change, and what you can do to conserve whales.
February 12, 2024 - Leadership Message ,
National
Mother and calf humpback whales near Maui, Hawaii. Humpback whales in the Pacific Ocean swim approximately 3,000 miles from Alaska to Hawaii to spend the winter in the warmer tropical waters. Credit: Jason Moore (NOAA permit #18786) Mother and calf humpback whales near Maui, Hawaii. Humpback whales in the Pacific Ocean swim approximately 3,000 miles from Alaska to Hawaii to spend the winter in the warmer tropical waters. Credit: Jason Moore (NOAA permit #18786)

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