A North Pacific right whale off the coast of Northern California
Fewer than 500 of these whales are thought to be alive today, and only about 30 swim with the whale's eastern population. Viewing one off the coast of California is a rare sight indeed.
A North Pacific right whale was seen swimming off the coast of Northern California, about 3 miles from Point Reyes National Seashore (an amazing place, in case you’ve not been).
As with its cousin, the North Atlantic right whale, these whales are very endangered. Once numbering in the tens of thousands, fewer than 500 are thought to be alive today, and roughly 30 live in the population that visits Alaska (and occasionally California).
The whale sighting is a reminder of the beauty of our natural world, but also about the need to protect endangered whales by reducing vessel speeds, reducing ocean noise, eliminating vertical fishing ropes and setting up marine protected areas (aka wildlife refuges in the ocean) where nature can thrive.
These solutions work, and it’s 2024 — we have the technology, knowledge and skill to do this.
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