Right Whale Day spotlights issues facing Massachusetts' marine mammal
The Healey-Driscoll Administration is partnering with the New England Aquarium on Wednesday to celebrate Massachusetts’ second annual Right Whale Day.
The right whale is the state's official marine mammal, which is critically endangered.
There are fewer than 360 right whales remaining, and of those, only 70 are breeding females.
Officials said Right Whale Day serves as an important opportunity to educate the public, highlight expansive work and research to protect the species, and share ways to support right whale conservation.
A report by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium shows calving numbers continue to lag behind what scientists saw a decade ago. This past calving season, 11 calves were born, which is fewer than the previous two years.
Scientists also said there continue to be elevated numbers of human-caused injuries to the whales from fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes, the leading causes of the North Atlantic right whale’s decline.
As part of the event, the Massachusetts Environmental Trust will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the right whale license plate, which has funded conservation projects across the state for three decades.
Video below: How scientists identify and track right whales