News & Insights
Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales Getting Smaller, New Research Finds
A report out this week in Current Biology reveal that critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are up to three feet shorter than 40 years ago. This startling conclusion reinforces what scientists have suspected: even when entanglements do not lead directly to the death of North Atlantic right whales, they can have lasting effects on the imperiled population that may now number less than 400 animals. Further, females that are entangled while nursing produce smaller calves.
Read MoreRare Drone video shows critically endangered North Atlantic right whales
May 10, 2021
During a joint research trip on February 28 in Cape Cod Bay, Mass., WHOI whale trauma specialist Michael Moore, National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry, and scientists from New […]
Read MoreWHOI working to help save critically endangered North Atlantic right whales
North Atlantic right whales are in crisis. There are approximately 356 individuals remaining, and with over 80% bearing scars of entanglements in fishing line, the race to save this species is more critical than ever.
Read MoreTeaming up for right whales
Researchers from WHOI and NOAA combine underwater gliders with passive acoustic detection technology to help protect endangered species from lethal ship strikes and noise from offshore wind construction
Read MoreUntangling Impacts on Right Whales
Whale scientists look for new ways to mitigate whale entanglements in fishing lines
Read MoreWHOI researchers capture video of critically-endangered North Atlantic right whale
Wolf and her calf were first seen off the coast of Florida in December of 2023. This calf is one of 19 born during the 2023-24 calving season. Tragically, one calf has already died, and four others are not expected to survive due to a variety of injuries.
Read MoreRecognizing Massachusetts Right Whale Day
April 24 marks the first-ever Right Whale Day in Massachusetts. WHOI biologist and veterinarian Michael Moore recently met with the resident who brought this special recognition about– and explains why it’s important to raise awareness about the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.
Read MoreSmart cameras keep lookout for endangered whales
A ship-mounted thermal imaging system provides real-time detection of whales, which could reduce the number of endangered marine mammals killed by vessels each year.
Read MoreFive ways to celebrate World Ocean Month
Whether you live on the coast or far from the ocean, World Ocean Month is a reminder that we’re all connected by water on this blue planet. So how exactly do you celebrate? We’ve got a few ideas for you!
Read MoreUnicorns of the Arctic face a new potential threat
Narwhals and other marine mammals could be vulnerable to a new threat we’ve become all too familiar with: COVID-19
Read MoreFor Mark Baumgartner, Whale Safe is the natural evolution of WHOI’s work with passive acoustics
Mark Baumgartner is an expert ocean listener who’s research is providing the groundwork for a new system to reduce ship collisions with whales
Read MoreWHOI Wishes NOAA a Happy 50th Anniversary
Work by NOAA, WHOI and many other partners have helped monitor and protect countless marine species, including humpback whales (shown here lunge-feeding) and critically endangered right whales in waters near […]
Read MoreWHOI joins effort to accelerate marine life protection technology
WHOI has teamed up with Greentown Labs and Vineyard Wind to launch the Offshore Wind Challenge. The program, which is also partnering with New England Aquarium, calls on entrepreneurs to submit proposals to collect, transmit, and analyze marine mammal monitoring data using remote technologies, such as underwater vehicles, drones, and offshore buoys.
Read MoreGlobal Oceans and the Extinction Crisis
WHOI marine biologists Michael Moore and Andrea Bogomolni weigh in on a new United Nations science report suggesting that over one million species are at risk of extinction.
Read MoreMichael Moore
» Chasing Bayla: Michael Moore’s quest to free a North Atlantic right whale from fishing gear (The Boston Globe, October 2014)
Michael Moore is one of a handful of marine […]
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