News and Announcements | NOAA Fisheries

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.

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

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. 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)

Examination Continues into Cause of Whale’s Death on Martha’s Vineyard

North Atlantic right whale on Martha’s Vineyard had a chronic entanglement and was seen in poor health before its death. Experts are examining the rope and other samples collected from the whale.

February 05, 2024 - Feature Story ,

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Deceased female North Atlantic right whale. Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute/Michael Moore. Taken under NOAA Permit # 24359.

Whales on the Brink: Making Strides in Marine Mammal Research and Protection

NOAA Fisheries and partners convened an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the discovery of the Rice’s whale, and recent advancements in marine mammal research and conservation.

February 01, 2024 - Feature Story ,

Alaska

Southeast

National

A large group of people smile in front of an ocean-themed backdrop in a museum

NOAA staff stand by the new Rice’s whale exhibit (far right) in Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Paul Hillman

Closure of 2022 Maine Pinniped Unusual Mortality Event

The Unusual Mortality Event involving stranded harbor and gray seals along the coast of Maine has ended.

January 16, 2024 - Feature Story ,

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Marine Mammals of Maine take nasal swabs from a harbor seal for HPAI testing. Credit: Marine Mammals of Maine

Documenting the Elusive North Pacific Right Whale

North Atlantic right whales get a lot of attention. In this episode, we learn a little about their lesser known West Coast cousins: North Pacific right whales, whose numbers are dramatically low.

January 11, 2024 - Podcast ,

Alaska

West Coast