News and Announcements | NOAA Fisheries

Gray Whale Calf Count Increases from All-time Low, Positive Sign for the Population

Twice as many calves head north to Arctic feeding grounds with their mothers.

August 09, 2023 - Feature Story ,

West Coast

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.

Short-Term Tagging Of Rare Whale Takes A Step Forward

Dropping tags from drones holds promise for non-invasive, effective, efficient deployment under challenging conditions

July 31, 2023 - Feature Story ,

New England/Mid-Atlantic

A bright yellow loaf-shaped tag just landing on the broad, finless back of a dark-colored whale, the splash from impact visible in the image. The whale’s blow holes are fully open as it takes a breath before submerging again.

A suction cup tag just dropped onto the back of a North Atlantic right whale. The photo was taken by the drone that deployed the tag (Permit #24359). Credit: NOAA Fisheries, Ocean Alliance/Chris Zadra

Stranding Network Partners Successfully Relocate Trapped Mother and Dolphin Calf in Louisiana

Stranding experts monitored the pair for more than a year until the calf was old enough to be moved.

July 21, 2023 - Feature Story ,

Southeast

National

two dolphins swim at the surface of dark blue water.

A mother and dolphin calf trapped in a tidal pond system near Grand Isle, Louisiana for over a year were recently tagged and relocated to open water. The pair became trapped in the tidal pond system after Hurricane Ida. Multiple partners from the Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network coordinated the effort. Credit: NOAA Fisheries (Permit #24359)

Women Who Help Entangled Whales

Large whale entanglement has been a predominantly male field, but a growing cadre of experienced and skilled women has strengthened and diversified the response teams.

July 10, 2023 - Feature Story ,

West Coast

Kathi George aboard an inflatable boat tossing a hook into the water.

Kathi George participating in whale disentanglement training. Credit: Bill Hunnewell/The Marine Mammal Center

Public Benefits of Recovering Endangered Beluga Whale Outweigh Costs

A new economic study, based on a public survey, provides insights on the potential value to society of endangered species protection.

June 28, 2023 - Feature Story ,

Alaska

Beluga with calf in water with green hills in background

Cook Inlet beluga whales. Credit: Chris Garner, Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson

New Gray Whale Count Shows Further Decline, with Hints of a Turnaround

Strandings down, calf counts up in Baja lagoons where whales spend the winter.

June 27, 2023 - Feature Story ,

West Coast

Gray whales migrating south in the Southern California Bight. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/SWFSC/MMTD.

New Abundance Estimate for Endangered Cook Inlet Beluga Whales

New survey estimate and recent trend data suggest the population may be stable and possibly increasing slightly.

June 15, 2023 - Feature Story ,

Alaska

New Model Predicts Potential Effects of Prey Availability and Human Activities on Pregnant Cook Inlet Beluga Whales

Scientists hope the new tool will help identify data gaps and the combination of factors that may be impacting the endangered whale population’s recovery.

June 01, 2023 - Feature Story ,

Alaska