assessing North Atlantic right whale health: threats, and development of tools critical for conservation of the species

The North Atlantic right whale (NARW) is Critically Endangered and declining. Past and current conservation measures have failed to maintain a recovery trajectory for the species. Better understanding of the current status of NARW health, and tools to evaluate health, are critical to reverse the decline and restart the recovery. This paper explores threats to the NARW population, whale monitoring methods and efforts, and humankind’s role in the decline and potential recovery of the species.