New estimates show a slight increase in the North Atlantic right whale population.
But at least one group says the critically endangered whale remains at risk of extinction.
There were an estimated 372 whales in 2023, according to the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium.
That is up about four per cent from the year before, when there were an estimated 356 North Atlantic right whales.
Non-profit organization Oceana said at least four have been killed by boat strikes and entanglements this year and five more are missing and presumed dead.
“More must and can be done to stop the two major threats to right whale’s survival – vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear,” the non-profit said in a news release.
It is calling on officials in both Canada and the United States to increase protections for the whales.
That includes implementing ropeless fishing gear in high-risk areas and making vessel slowdowns mandatory throughout the range where right whales are found to reduce ship strikes.
