North Atlantic right whale births are up but more are needed

NOAA reported 15 new North Atlantic right whale calves this season and estimates the population at about 384, a rise of more than 7% since 2020.

Researchers report a small rise in new births for the North Atlantic right whale this winter. NOAA announced 15 calves have been identified so far and estimates the population at about 384 animals, an increase of more than 7% since 2020. These whales typically calve off the southeastern United States and face ongoing threats from collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear. Experts say births alone will not restore the population while those threats persist. Key developments: - NOAA announced 15 new calves identified this season. - The population is estimated at about 384 individuals, a gain of more than 7% since 2020. - NOAA stated the species would need approximately 50 or more calves per year for many years to stop its decline. - A federal moratorium on certain protective rules for right whales is in place through 2028, and some commercial fishing groups have proposed extending that pause. Summary: The identification of 15 calves this season is a modest positive against a longer trend of more deaths than births over the past decade. Regulatory actions now in place through 2028, and any proposals to change that timeline, will be central to how the species' recovery proceeds.