North Atlantic right whale population actually increases, but ‘threats from vessel strikes and entanglement’ remain

The North Atlantic right whale population has actually ticked up, a “little bit of positive news” for once but the critically endangered species still faces significant threats, according to local scientists.

The 2023 population estimate from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium shows a slight increase in the species’ count — with a few more whales being born than are dying or being killed.

The new estimate is 372 right whales, including 12 calves of the year. The species’ population has been slowly increasing since 2020 when it hit a low of 358 whales.

“To see the population estimate increasing gives us hope that what felt like a free fall over the past decade may be behind us,” said Heather Pettis, a research scientist in the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center and the chair of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium.

“While we still have a great deal of work to do to ensure that this species not only recovers but thrives, it feels really good to be able to share a little bit of positive news,” Pettis added.

However, this year has been full of reports about right whale deaths, entanglements, and vessel strikes. There have been five detected right whale deaths and four other lost calves this year, the highest annual mortality count since 2019.

Researchers said one of the whales died from entanglement, and three whales died from vessel strikes.

These nine deaths may lower the population estimate for 2024 when that’s generated next year.

“While entanglements remain the leading cause of death and injury, this year there were at least six vessel strike-related injuries/deaths, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue soon,” Pettis said. “The persistent aggregation of more than 50 right whales in the New York shipping lane this summer underscores this even further.”

Efforts to protect North Atlantic right whales have involved conservationists, scientists, government agencies, and the fishing and shipping industries. NOAA has been working to develop vessel speed restrictions, and there have been advances in ropeless fishing technology.

“While we are happy to see that the population estimate has not decreased, we remain gravely concerned,” said Kathleen Collins, senior marine campaign manager with the International Fund for Animal Welfare. “The delay in strengthening the necessary regulations on vessel speeds and on-demand gear is unacceptable.”

“The population estimate for the two prior years does show initial signs that the drastic loss of whales may be slowing; however, there is still serious cause for concern and action needed,” Collins added. “Right whales face immediate threats from vessel strikes and entanglement, as well as longer term threats such as dwindling population health, and climate change. We are losing right whales at unsustainable rates and unfortunately, annual calving rates remain under the necessary threshold to grow the population.”