The North Atlantic Right Whale mostly eats zooplankton as well as krill and other small crustaceans. They live in Atlantic coastal waters on the continental shelf.

Right Whales migrate seasonally and travel alone or in small groups. They get their name from early whalers, who considered them to be the “right” whale to hunt. They are a crucial part of the ecosystem because whales help regulate and maintain ocean food chains. Whale poop helps stimulate the growth of phytoplankton which pull carbon from the atmosphere to supply a cleaner and healthier breathing environment for all animals.

North Atlantic Right Whales: Federally Endangered

North Atlantic Right Whales are, in fact, one of the world’s most endangered large whale species. They are endangered due to ship collisions, entanglement in fishing nets, pollution and separation from calving areas because of shipping traffic. Loss of important territory in which they feed, give birth, nurse their young, and travel in is also a factor. The latest estimate suggests there are fewer than 350 North Atlantic Right Whales remaining.

How You Can Help the the North Atlantic Right Whale

Unfortunately, there is not anything small you can do other than limiting use of plastic and donating to charities that are directly involved. So, this is when it’s important to exercise our ability to vote, petition, and protest.

You, as a citizen, need to vote for a strong vessel speed rule to save endangered Right Whales from being killed by speeding vessels. Research shows that just lowering the speed by 12 mph reduces the risk of a Right Whale death by 80% to 90%.

And if you can’t vote, spreading the word to those who can is just as important.

Whether red or blue, whales are dying, and they need you.