Right whale population grows but extinction remains a threat

The population of North Atlantic right whales has slightly increased, with an estimated 372 individuals in 2023 after a decline in the past decade due to threats like ship collisions and fishing gear entanglement. However, conservationists stress the need for more efforts from the government and industries to protect the critically endangered species, as evidenced by the record number of deaths this year, showing evidence of chronic entanglement and vessel strikes. Despite the hopeful population increase, the urgency to stop killing these whales is emphasized, with ongoing challenges in implementing new rules to mitigate threats.

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