Eastern North Pacific Right whale MML# 84 “Cuatro” (female) in the Bering Sea in August 2017. Credit: K. Matsuoka/International Whaling Commission and NOAA Fisheries Eastern North Pacific right whales once numbered in the tens of thousands; today there are estimated to be fewer than 50. Studying these extremely rare whales across their vast ocean range is an […]
Collaborative effort with fishermen confirms sighting of two rare whales. In early February, commercial fishermen spotted at least two endangered North Pacific right whales among a large group of around 20 whales. The whales were feeding in waters just northeast of a narrow strait in the Aleutian Islands. “I took the time to take […]
NOAA’s newest research ship, the Reuben Lasker, departs San Diego this week on its first scientific mission that includes surveying gray whales along the West Coast. The survey will also search the Gulf of Alaska for right whales, among the most rare and endangered whales on Earth. The expedition is a collaboration between the Southwest […]