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2020 and 2021 Combined Report of Marine Mammal Strandings in the United States

This report details marine mammal stranding rates, trends, and activities in the United States for both 2020 and 2021. In 2020, there were 5,400 confirmed marine mammal strandings; in 2021, there were 5,524.
April 03, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Two stranding responders carry a stranded harbor porpoise away from some rocks A harbor porpoise is retrieved from the rocks at Odiorne Point State Park, New Hampshire. Credit: Seacoast Science Center

Spring News Roundup

A roundup of recent headlines from around the agency—hear about new Hawaiian monk seal pups, environmental DNA, new fish species, killer whale diversity, and more.
March 29, 2024 - Podcast ,
National
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. A Southern Resident killer whale leaps out of the water. Credit: Candace Emmons

Hawaiian Monk Seal Pupping Season

The Hawaiian monk seal pupping season has started! NOAA Fisheries experts in the Pacific Islands work with partners to protect the pups during this critical time.
March 14, 2024 - Podcast ,
Pacific Islands
A Hawaiian monk seal pup lays in the sand A young, female Hawaiian monk seal pup, identified as "PM6," lying in the sand at Kalaupapa, Molokai in 2017. This is the fourth pup of mom "RI25." Credit: NOAA/Tracy Mercer (Permit #16632-02).

Closure of 2019–2023 Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale Unusual Mortality Event

The Unusual Mortality Event involving stranded eastern North Pacific gray whales has ended.
March 14, 2024 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
People on a beach performing a necropsy on a stranded gray whale

Some Research Takes a Lifetime—Like the Northern Elephant Seal

Long-term research under Marine Mammal Protection Act scientific research permits provides insight into northern elephant seal moms and pups.
March 14, 2024 - Feature Story ,
National
northern elephant seal on the beach Researchers observing a colony of northern elephant seals. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries MMPA Permit # 23188.

Deaths of Young Dolphin, Humpback Calf Highlight the Importance of Responsible Boating

In February 2024, NOAA Fisheries and partners responded to a dead spinner dolphin yearling and a dead humpback whale calf in Hawaiʻi. Examinations revealed their deaths were likely due to vessel strikes.
March 07, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
A mother humpback whale swims beneath its calf to support it on the ocean surface as a researcher on a nearby boat leans over the railing holding a pole underwater to assess the condition of the call. NOAA researchers with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback National Marine Sanctuary assess an injured humpback whale calf off of Maui. The calf had suspected vessel strike injuries to its tail. Credit: Pacific Whale Foundation (NOAA Fisheries Permit #24359)

Passive Acoustic Monitoring Reveals More About Sperm Whales off Southeast New England

Study listened for sperm whales in an offshore wind energy development area.
February 21, 2024 - Feature Story ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Aerial view of six sperm whales grouped together in dark blue waters. Sperm whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

A Game-Changing Effort for Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales

An update from our experts on the status of North Atlantic right whales, and our plans to use Inflation Reduction Act funds for right whale conservation.
February 15, 2024 - Podcast ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
Horton NARW with her calf North Atlantic right whale Horton and newborn calf. Credit: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #26919.

Whales and Carbon Sequestration: Can Whales Store Carbon?

Whales can help mitigate climate change impacts by storing carbon in their bodies and transporting nutrients that benefit ocean food chains.
February 13, 2024 - Feature Story ,
National
North Atlantic right whale Pediddle (#1012) and calf. North Atlantic right whale Pediddle (#1012) and calf. This species was hunted nearly to extinction by commercial whalers in the 1800s, and continues to face threats from vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

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)