Whales are among the largest and oldest animals on Earth. They can be found in every ocean and range in size from the small dwarf sperm whale to the massive blue whale, the largest animal on the planet. Whales belong to a group of marine mammals called cetaceans. Marine mammals in the cetacean family include whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
There are two types of cetaceans: baleen and toothed. Baleen whales, or Mysticetes, have baleen plates which sieve prey, like krill, from the water. Toothed whales, or Odontocetes, have teeth and feed on fish, squid, and other marine mammals such as seals and sea lions.
Together with our partners, we work to ensure the conservation of whales which are all protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and protect and recover those that are listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Species News
NOAA and partners go through rigorous training in preparation for responding to large whale entanglements. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Cameron Dabney
Bridge crew from Norwegian Encore holding their Certificate of Corporate Responsibility from the Whale Alert Alaska Program.
NOAA Enforcement Officer monitoring the vessel speed of a cargo ship.
Alexa Haucke (Left) and Jenna Callan (Right) touring the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.
Multimedia
Right whale #3853 swimming north offshore of South Carolina on Jan. 20, 2011 with a series of fresh propeller wounds running across its back. The whale was observed 5 days previously offshore of Georgia without propeller wounds. It is unknown whether the whale survived its wounds or not, as it has not been re-sighted since. Vessel collisions are a leading cause of right whale mortality. Credit: EcoHealth Alliance (NOAA permit #594-1759).
North Atlantic right whale Catalog #3560 ‘Snow Cone’ sighted December 2, 2021 entangled and with a new calf. Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission taken under NOAA permit 20556.
A Northeast Fisheries Science Center biologist collecting data during buoyless lobster trap tests.
Research
Beaked Whale Dive Cycle Estimation Based on Acoustic Data From Drifting Recording Systems
Our acoustic-only estimation method opens the door to obtaining estimates for many species.
Publications by Northeast Passive Acoustic Research Staff
Our staff regularly publish their findings in scientific journals and Center-produced documents…
Acoustic Localization, Validation, and Characterization of Rice's Whale Calls
This study uses sonobuoys and passive acoustic tagging to validate the source of potential call…
Protected Species Gear Research
We work closely with the commercial fishing industry to reduce harmful interactions with marine mammals, turtles, and other protected species.
Understanding Marine Mammal Protections
Learn how NOAA Fisheries protects all marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
