NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management seek public comment on a new draft strategy to minimize the effects of offshore wind development on right whales and their habitat.
NOAA Fisheries celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This landmark legislation protects all marine mammals in U.S. waters, including four Species in the Spotlight.
A new scientific peer-reviewed protocol adds 37 individuals to the ongoing North Atlantic right whale UME. This provides a more complete picture of this endangered species’ status and challenges impeding its recovery.
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.
Proposed changes would expand mandatory speed restrictions to include vessels 35 to 65 feet long and broaden seasonal speed restriction zones. The comment period closed on October 31, 2022.
The North Atlantic Right Whale Road to Recovery describes NOAA Fisheries’ efforts to halt the current population decline and recover the species, including new vessel speed regulations and a “roadmap” for use of ropeless gear.