NARWC DATABASES
The North Atlantic right whale consortium databases were established in 1986 as part of a cooperative right whale research program conducted by the University of Rhode Island, New England Aquarium, Center for Coastal Studies, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and other organizations forming the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. The data are comprised of two major datasets: the survey and "Sightings Database”, maintained and curated by the University of Rhode Island, and the “Identification Database” (formally the “Photo-Identification Database"), maintained and curated by the New England Aquarium.
In addition, there are several other databases that contain other types of biological data on right whales, contributed by numerous investigators, including: genetics, blubber thickness measurements, contaminant levels, necropsy findings and health assessment scores. These data are all linked to the Identification database by animal identification number.
Lastly, WhaleMap is a web-based platform that was designed to communicate the latest right whale observations and survey results to scientific, regulatory, and industrial sectors to inform more effective, dynamic planning of research and conservation activities. It is synchronized with data repositories from a number of different survey groups, so that shortly after their planes land, boats tie up, or autonomous vehicles call home, the survey results will update here. These data are unprocessed, preliminary data and are subject to change. Access to these data is limited.
In addition, there are several other databases that contain other types of biological data on right whales, contributed by numerous investigators, including: genetics, blubber thickness measurements, contaminant levels, necropsy findings and health assessment scores. These data are all linked to the Identification database by animal identification number.
Lastly, WhaleMap is a web-based platform that was designed to communicate the latest right whale observations and survey results to scientific, regulatory, and industrial sectors to inform more effective, dynamic planning of research and conservation activities. It is synchronized with data repositories from a number of different survey groups, so that shortly after their planes land, boats tie up, or autonomous vehicles call home, the survey results will update here. These data are unprocessed, preliminary data and are subject to change. Access to these data is limited.
other information sources (not narwc curated)
Right Whale Sighting Advisory System
The Right Whale Sighting Advisory System (RWSAS) is a NOAA Fisheries program which was designed to reduce collisions between ships and the endangered North Atlantic right whale by alerting mariners to their presence in near real-time. These right whale sighting reports are obtained from a variety of sources including the United States Coast Guard, aerial surveys, shipboard surveys, whale watch vessels, and other sources (commercial ships, fishing vessels, and the general public). Right whale sightings can be reported from Virginia to Maine by calling the NOAA hotline 866-755-6622. Data maintained in the Right Whale Sighting Advisory System includes the date, time, position, and group size. This database does not include effort data or other species detections which are maintained by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium database.
The Right Whale Sighting Advisory System (RWSAS) is a NOAA Fisheries program which was designed to reduce collisions between ships and the endangered North Atlantic right whale by alerting mariners to their presence in near real-time. These right whale sighting reports are obtained from a variety of sources including the United States Coast Guard, aerial surveys, shipboard surveys, whale watch vessels, and other sources (commercial ships, fishing vessels, and the general public). Right whale sightings can be reported from Virginia to Maine by calling the NOAA hotline 866-755-6622. Data maintained in the Right Whale Sighting Advisory System includes the date, time, position, and group size. This database does not include effort data or other species detections which are maintained by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium database.
