Staff report
The critically endangered North Atlantic right whale population has increased for the fourth consecutive year, offering cautious optimism for a species that migrates through local waters each winter.
The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium released its official 2024 population estimate this week, reporting 384 whales—a 2.1% increase from the revised 2023 estimate of 376 individuals. The modest growth represents an important milestone for the species, which has gained more than 7% of its population since hitting a low of 358 whales in 2020.
Scientists from the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration collaborate annually to calculate the population estimate, which includes calves born within the previous year.
“It’s always a great feeling when we can share positive news about this critically endangered species,” said Heather Pettis, who leads the right whale research program at the Anderson Cabot Center and chairs the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. “The slight increase in the population estimate, coupled with no detected mortalities and fewer detected injuries than in the last several years, leaves us cautiously optimistic about the future of North Atlantic right whales.”
The whales migrate annually from feeding grounds off New England and Canada to calving grounds off Fla. and Ga. Nassau County residents often spot mothers and newborn calves off Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach during the winter months as the whales make their southern journey.
Despite the positive trend, experts emphasize that entanglements in fishing gear and vessel strikes remain the leading causes of serious injury and death for the species. In 2024, scientists documented five right whale deaths, 16 entanglements and eight vessel strikes.
The population estimate was released during the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium’s annual meeting in New Bedford, Mass., which drew more than 450 attendees from research organizations, government agencies and conservation groups worldwide.
For more information, visit the New England Aquarium at neaq.org.
