North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)
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The North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is a species of baleen whale that inhabits the North Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most endangered mammals in the world, with fewer than 350 individuals remaining as of 2023.[1]
History
The North Atlantic right whale was heavily hunted by whalers from the 11th to the 20th century, who sought its blubber for oil and its baleen plates. It was considered the “right whale” to hunt because of its slow speed, docile behavior, and tendency to float after being killed. Whaling was banned in 1935, but the population did not recover as expected.[1]
Threats
2017 Unusual Mortality Event
Since 2017, there has been an unusual mortality event (UME) declared for the endangered North Atlantic right whale due to elevated mortalities in Canada and the United States. More than 20 percent of the population has been affected, and the main causes are entanglements and vessel strikes. With fewer than 350 individuals remaining, the UME poses a significant setback to the species' recovery.[2]
Counts of North Atlantic Right Whale UME Mortality, Serious Injury, and Morbidity (Sublethal Injury or Illness) Cases
Year |
Mortalities |
Serious Injuries |
Morbidity (Sublethal Injury or Illness)+ |
Total | ||||||||||
| VS* | ENT* | PERI* | UNK* | NE* | PEND* | VS* | ENT* | DEP CALF* | VS** | ENT** | INJ-UNK** | BC-UNK** | ||
| 2017 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 35 |
| 2018 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 22 |
| 2019 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Total | 12 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 2 | 5 | 114 |
*Vessel strike (VS), Entanglement (ENT), Perinatal (PERI), Unknown/undetermined (UNK), Not Examined (NE), Pending (PEND), Dependent Calf (DEP CALF).
**Vessel strike (VS), Entanglements (ENT), or Unknown injury (INJ-UNK), or Poor body condition caused by unknown (BC-UNK).
+ A review of all photographed right whale sightings is still underway and Morbidity cases may still be added as new cases are identified.