The Greenland right whale, scientifically known as Balaena mysticetus, is a large baleen whale species found primarily in the Arctic waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a member of the family Balaenidae and is known for its immense size, with adults reaching lengths of up to 15 meters and weighing around 50 tons. The Greenland right whale possesses a distinctive physical appearance, characterized by a dark, almost black, body coloration and a robust, barrel-shaped body.
These whales are known for their migratory behaviors, spending summers in the cold Arctic feeding grounds and migrating to warmer waters during the winter months for breeding and calving. They have a unique feeding mechanism involving baleen plates in their mouths that allow them to filter-feed on small crustaceans, plankton, and other tiny marine organisms.
Historically, Greenland right whales were extensively hunted for their blubber, meat, and baleen, leading to a significant decline in their population which has been slow to recover. Today, they are protected under national and international regulations, including the Endangered Species Act and the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling.
The conservation efforts aim to safeguard the Greenland right whale population and promote their recovery by preserving their natural habitats, monitoring their population status, and reducing human-induced threats such as entanglement in fishing gear and disturbances from anthropogenic activities.
