The estimated population of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales grew by about 2% last year to 384 individuals, an increase of eight from the year before. That’s according to new data from the New England Aquarium and North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium.

Heather Pettis is a senior scientist who leads the New England Aquarium's right whale research program and chairs the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. She said the slight population increase is positive news for the endangered whales, and she's excited to share it.

"But it's not huge. What we've seen happen to this population before is given the small size, and given the vulnerability, that trajectory can change really quickly," Pettis said.

Pettis said 2024 was actually a difficult year for North Atlantic rig

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