There are only around 380 North Atlantic right whales still living
Credit: Alamy
NEED TO KNOW
- A GoFundMe was launched to support conservation efforts for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale
- Funds will help purchase drones, marine binoculars and cover research and administrative costs for the conservation project
- About 380 North Atlantic right whales remain, with fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes threatening their survival
A team of marine biologists in Massachusetts are trying a new method to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
The Marineland Right Whale Project created a GoFundMe to raise money for their conservation efforts of the critically endangered marine mammals.
The fundraiser was launched by volunteer and drone pilot Zoë Rauscher.
“In order for the researchers from Associated Scientists at Woods Hole to continue their impactful conservation efforts for the 2027 season, we must raise enough donations for the organization to be able to operate,” she said on the GoFundMe's page.
"However, given that the [Marineland Right Whale Project] is a program run by a non-profit organization, we depend entirely on research grants (becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain due to federal budget cuts for environmental areas of research) and charitable donations to operate," Rauscher continued.
Funds will be used to buy special equipment such as remote-controlled drones and marine binoculars. Money will also be used to cover "research, reporting and administrative costs."
"Unfortunately it is not possible to chip or digitally track right whales," Rauscher added. "As such, a designated team of volunteers surveys the ocean daily in order to locate the whales."
Credit: Marineland Right Whale Project; Photo by Zoe Rauscher
North Atlantic right whales have been endangered since 1970, per NOAA Fisheries. The primary threats to the whales include fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes.
"Calves are particularly vulnerable as they lack the experience and speed of adults to evade approaching vessels," Rauscher explained.
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There are approximately 380 whales still living, and NOAA Fisheries noted that they are "cautiously optimistic" that the population is increasing.
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