NOAA Fisheries records evidence of endangered Rice’s whales in the western Gulf of Mexico. These findings demonstrate their regular occurrence in waters offshore of Texas and the first evidence of Rice’s whales offshore of Mexico.
Sound plays an essential role for marine species, and the ocean is getting noisier. NOAA works to understand and reduce the impacts of human-produced noise on whales.
A message from Donna Wieting, Director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources. Celebrate whales and learn how our scientists and managers conserve and protect these ocean giants.