Year of the Right Whale

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Year of the Right Whale logo

The mission of the Year of the Right Whale project is to protect the North Atlantic right whale through celebration, education and action.

North Atlantic right whales are large baleen whales that got their name from whalers, who considered them the “right” whale to hunt. Right whales are primarily found in the North Atlantic from Canada to Florida, although a few have been seen in the Gulf of Mexico and in European waters.

Right whales are in very serious trouble. With only around 400 North Atlantic right whales left in the world, it is important that we act now to protect every last whale. Humans are the greatest threat to the survival of this species. Right whales are lost every year to man-made causes. We need to make sure this species receives adequate protection so that their numbers do not continue to decline.

Right Whale and Calf / NOAA Fisheries/Christin Khan

WE are the North Atlantic right whale’s greatest threat, and ONLY hope.

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PROJECT PARTNERS

The Year of the Right Whale Project is coordinated by Jen Kennedy of Blue Ocean Society (fiscal sponsor) and Cynde McInnis of The Whalemobile.

For more information, contact Cynde or Jen at info@yearoftherightwhale.org

Project Advisory Committee:

Amy Knowlton, Heather Pettis, and Marianna Hagbloom, Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium
Bill McWeeny, Adams School, The Calvineers
Zack Klyver, Bar Harbor Whale Watch


Photo credits: Right whale mother and calf: NOAA/Christin Khan; Right whale fluke image: Judith Scott