North Atlantic right whales see population growth amid critical challenges

In Massachusetts, scientists observed early signs of a promising feeding and breeding season for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. On November 18, 2024, researchers from the Center for Coastal Studies reported the sighting of two right whales in Cape Cod Bay, where the animals were found feeding on a surplus of tiny organisms typically scarce at this time of year. These whales, numbering about 370, are at risk due to entanglement in fishing gear and ship collisions. Conservationists emphasize the need for ongoing protection for this species, particularly as fewer than 70 females are reproductive, driving the urgency for conservation measures.