Right whale Anthropogenic Events
The North Atlantic right whale remains one of the most endangered large whales in the world, and the population has been in decline since 2010. Anthropogenic sources of mortality continue to plague this species; all adult and juvenile right whale mortalities from 2003-2018 for which a cause of death could be determined were due to human activities (entanglement or vessel strike). Anthropogenic injuries, including vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, may also have a more significant impact on the growth rates of the North Atlantic population than other large whale species and are likely reducing the biological potential of reproductive females.
The ability to monitor North Atlantic right whale vital rates and anthropogenic impacts is entirely dependent on the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Identification Database (Catalog), curated by the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium and supported by decades of dedication by field survey teams, researchers, and managers throughout the range of this species.
Several resources are available to learn more about anthropogenic injuries to right whales. Click links below for more information.
The ability to monitor North Atlantic right whale vital rates and anthropogenic impacts is entirely dependent on the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Identification Database (Catalog), curated by the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium and supported by decades of dedication by field survey teams, researchers, and managers throughout the range of this species.
Several resources are available to learn more about anthropogenic injuries to right whales. Click links below for more information.
