MAINE PUBLIC • October 14, 2022
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has identified 36 ill or injured right whales as part of an ongoing investigation into an elevated number of mortalities. These cases are on top of the 34 deaths and 21 serious injuries that NOAA officials have previously documented. All told, the agency has identified 91 right whales that have been part of an unusual mortality event over the last five years. NOAA said it will not take any specific additional action in response to this new information. But the data may inform ongoing work to reduce risks to right whales by a total of 90% over the next few years.