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
Late afternoon residents walk to investigate the fin whale carcass. Credit: Bridget Crokus, volunteer Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services
Marylou Staman conducts green sea turtle surveys at Lalo in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. More than 90 percent of the Hawaiian green sea turtle population nests at Lalo (French Frigate Shoals). Credit: NOAA Fisheries. Taken under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Permit #TE-72088A-3 and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Co-Manager’s Permit.
A drone hovers over a Rice’s whale, ready to drop a suction cup tag to collect data. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Ocean Alliance (Permit #21938)
Marine mammal observers, LTJG Jesse Pierce (left) and Dawn Breese (right), surveying for mother-calf gray whale pairs. All marine mammals sighted are recorded.
Multimedia
Researchers retrieve a passive acoustic recorder. Courtesy: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
A Bryde’s whale photographed in the Mariana Archipelago. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Adam Ü (NOAA Fisheries MMPA-ESA Permit #14097)
Research
Population Size Estimate for North Atlantic Right Whales
Population size estimation of North Atlantic right whales from 1990-2023.
Monitoring Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales in Near Real-Time by Sound, Air, and Sea
The annual North Atlantic right whale calving season, which begins in mid-November and runs through mid-April, is almost here once again. There are approximately 370 North Atlantic right whales left, including fewer than 70 reproductively active females…
Saving Springer—Killer Whale Curriculum
This curriculum introduces killer whale (orca) biology, research and management through the story of an orphaned killer whale named Springer, and illustrate how NOAA, the community, and other agencies both in the United States and Canada worked…
Bryde’s Whales Produce Biotwang Calls, Which Occur Seasonally in Long-Term Acoustic Recordings From the Central and Western North Pacific
Results provide evidence for a pelagic western North Pacific population of Bryde’s whales with…
Understanding Marine Mammal Protections
Learn how NOAA Fisheries protects all marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
