Dead minke whale in Massachusetts found pregnant

This is WDC’s third deceased minke whale in three months. An Unusual Mortality Event (UME) for minke whales was declared in 2017. There are two main causes of this UME, human interactions (including vessel strikes and accidental entanglement in fishing gear) and infectious disease. Read the full story.

Whales in Iceland are facing a new attack

Just as we thought a future was in sight where no fin whales would be slaughtered in Icelandic waters, recent political developments are raising serious fears that whaling could be a permanent fixture in Iceland’s future, rather than phased out. Read the full story.

What really goes on when governments talk whale conservation?

This ‘International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling’ was established in 1946 when whale populations were drastically declining and something had to be done to stop their uncontrolled slaughter. Read the full story.

Meet the 2024 Interns: Corinne

I’m excited to introduce Corinne as WDC’s autumn Marine Mammal Conservation Intern. Corinne has dived into our education programs and already supported WDC’s Marine Animal Rescue and Response team during a necropsy (animal autopsy). Read the full story.

North Atlantic right whale population on the rise

NOAA, using data provided by the New England Aquarium, announced today that approximately 370 North Atlantic right whales were alive during 2023. This is an increase from the 2022 estimate of 356 individuals. Read the full story.