A right whale mom and calf. Photo: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute. NOAA permit 20556-01
October 21, 2025 (Boston, MA) – There are only approximately 384 critically endangered North Atlantic right whales left, according to a new estimate by scientists. This is a small increase over last year’s population estimate. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.
“This slight increase falls far short of what these critically endangered giants need. Until the government protects whales from being struck by boats and entangled in fishing gear, New England’s majestic whales won’t recover,” said Erica Fuller, senior counsel at CLF. “While encouraging, the small uptick in recent years may be due to a new methodology which includes calves in the estimates, but these very young whales are vulnerable and may not survive to join the adult population. The North Atlantic right whale is still one of the most endangered whale species in the world. Without strong, immediate intervention, they will go extinct in our lifetime.”
In the modern day, there is no documented case of an adult North Atlantic right whale living long enough to die of natural causes. The federal government must release a vessel speed rule that will minimize collisions between boats and right whales, and fund on-demand fishing gear to prevent whales from becoming entangled. Experts agree that right whales can still recover, but only if humans stop killing them.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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