Right Whale Research

The critically endangered North Atlantic right whale is one of the rarest whale species in the world. Once heavily hunted, the North Atlantic right whale has not recovered from the pressure of historic whaling. Less than 400 of these whales remain.

Vulnerable to vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, this species suffers mortality from human activities. Its recovery is threatened by low reproduction, habitat loss, disease and environmental contaminants. Solutions to reduce human impact on right whales exist, but implementation remains a challenge.

Background

Our program is the longest-running and most comprehensive North Atlantic right whale research and conservation initiative in the world.

Projects

We are working to conserve this critically endangered whale by reducing the risk of ship strikes, decreasing the threat of fishing gear entanglement and increasing our knowledge of right whale behavior, genetics and population structure.

Results and Successes

Our Right Whale Research Project is helping conserve right whales by reducing their risk of ship strike and increasing our understanding of individual histories and family relationships.

North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog

With more than 200,000 photographs dating back to 1935, the North Atlantic Right Whale Photo-Identification Catalog is the most complete right whale identification resource available to researchers today.

North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium

The New England Aquarium is an integral part of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. The Consortium includes individuals and organizations active in right whale research, conservation and management. Together, we are working to ensure the long-term conservation and recovery of right whales in the North Atlantic.