The North Atlantic Right Whale - CPAWS New Brunswick

The calm surface of the Bay of Fundy begins to ripple, and a large, dark grey animal rises from the depths. Barnacles and scars mark its skin. A large eye looks at you briefly. A quick exhalation causes a spume of water to rise 30 feet in the air. With a flick of the tail, it disappears again. You have just been graced with a visit by the rare right whale.

Some claim the right whale got its name from whalers who thought it was the “right whale to catch,” for one reason or another. Others say “right” may mean typical or proper. Either way, the right whale is certainly impressive.

(For more information and images, click the headings below.)

About the Right Whale
An Endangered Species
Helping the Right Whale

Efforts are being made to help protect the remaining whales.
In the Bay of Fundy, the Grand Manan Basin has been identified as a critical habitat needed for the recovery of the NARW. Critical habitat is a place that a species relies on, because it provides conditions that the species needs for survival or recovery. Right whale critical habitat areas support the following functions: foraging, feeding, nursing, raising calves, resting and socializing. Features of the critical habitat that support those activities include the quantity and quality of the prey available, the acoustic environment and the quality of water and air.

This page is the result of a joint project between the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Chapters) and the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. All photos are by Nick Hawkins.

For further information about the organizations involved and the actions they are taking, follow the links below:

CPAWS – New Brunswick Chapter
cpawsnb.org
CPAWS – Nova Scotia Chapter
cpawsns.org
Photography by Nick Hawkins
https://www.nickjhawkins.com/photography