Ukraine invasion may have triggered dolphin deaths
Following reports a few weeks ago that military dolphins were being used by Russia as part of its invasion of Ukraine, it now seems that more dolphins may have been casualties in the ongoing war. Scientists think that the increase in noise pollution caused by Russian naval activity in the northern Black Sea could be…
Read MoreThere is Potentially a New Southern Resident Orca Calf from K Pod!
A hopeful and interesting update on the Southern Resident orcas: in late April, photos and video were taken of part of L and K pods off the coast of Oregon and shared with the Center for Whale Research. Among the familiar fins of K pod was a special sighting: an extra-small fin trailing close behind…
Read MoreBreaking news – Critically Endangered Right Whale Who Gave Birth Despite Chronic Entanglement Spotted off Cape Cod!
Breaking news! On an early morning survey east of Cape Cod on April 23rd, researchers from the Center for Coastal Studies located a North Atlantic right whale named Snow Cone and her calf, who is the first right whale known to give birth while having a chronic entanglement in fishing gear. She continues to defy…
Read MoreKlamath River Dams Update: One Step Away from Finally Being Removed!
The Southern Resident orcas are a true “Pacific Northwest” community, living in the waters off British Columbia, Canada to Northern California, and relying almost totally on salmon – a cultural and ecological icon of this region. The orcas’ dependence on salmon means their future is deeply connected to the state of salmon in the Pacific…
Read MoreNorwegian whalers kill first minke whale of the season
Sadly, Norwegian whalers have killed the first minke whale this season. The whale was caught on Monday by the whaling ship Kato off the Finnmark coast. According to skipper Dag Myklebust, the whale was eight meters (26 feet) long and weighed around 1,700 kilograms (~3750 lbs). In February, we reported that Bjørnar Skjæran, Norway’s new…
Read MoreOregon Groups Request Additional Look Before Selecting Wind Development Areas
OREGON – WDC joined nine other national and Oregon-based conservation groups to submit a formal request to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), urging them to take a more comprehensive look at the marine life off our coast and the potential impact from offshore wind development. Multiple fishing groups also joined the letter, supporting…
Read MoreMarine Animal Rescue and Response: 6 Month Update
WDC Marine Animal Rescue and Response Intern, JJ Cruz and WDC staff member Monica Pepe, evaluate a deceased seal under authorization from NOAA WDC’s Marine Animal Rescue and Response program is six months old! Thank you to everyone who has supported this new program through well-wishes, spreading the word, making donations, and shopping our Amazon…
Read MoreA New Calf Provides Hope for Endangered Southern Resident Orcas
Sara Hysong Shimazu (Hysazu Photography) GOOD NEWS – A new baby orca! On March 1st, observers with Washington State-based Center for Whale Research and Orca Behavior Institute were watching members of J pod of the Southern Resident orca community off San Juan Island and spotted a tiny dorsal fin amongst the more familiar orcas. The…
Read MoreCongressional Leaders Introduce Bill to Save the North Atlantic Right Whale
Washington (February 16, 2022) – Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) today introduced the “Right Whale Coexistence Act,” formerly known as the SAVE right whales act. This important legislation aims to support the recovery of the North Atlantic right whale, a critically…
Read MoreResearchers announce 2021 class of named North Atlantic right whales
“Spindle” is named for the long symmetrical mark on her head that resembles a banister post. CREDIT: New England Aquarium, under NOAA Research Permit #655-1652-01 BOSTON, MASS. (Dec. 7, 2021) – Another class of 18 North Atlantic right whales have been named for 2021, helping researchers more easily recognize individual whales spotted by boat and…
Read More