The "Right" Whale
The North Atlantic right whale got its name because it was the “right whale to kill.” They were slow, curious, and floated when killed — making them easy targets, prized for their oil and baleen.
Centuries of whaling drove the species to the edge of extinction. Today, even with whaling banned, fewer than 360 remain. Ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are now their greatest threats — and survival hangs by a thread.
The Right Partners
ICF partners with the Canadian Whale Institute (CWI) to help bring this species back from the brink.
CWI’s mission: reduce human-caused deaths from vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements, and give right whales a chance to recover after 800 years of pressure.
From Crisis to Recovery
With so few whales left, every loss matters. This is why CWI works on two fronts:
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Immediate relief: saving entangled whales and preventing collisions.
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Long-term change: driving policy, industry collaboration, and research to make oceans safer.
With their expertise and community roots, CWI is in a rare position to meet these challenges.
The Whale Rescue Team
When whales become entangled in fishing gear, CWI’s Campobello Whale Rescue Team (CWRT) answers the call.
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Formed in 2002 by volunteer fishermen.
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Joined CWI in 2014, now operating with trained crews using specialized equipment.
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Licensed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to respond in the Bay of Fundy, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and waters off Nova Scotia.
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Works closely with fishers to encourage stewardship and collaboration.
The work is dangerous and demanding — but when a species is this endangered, every single whale counts.
Building Lasting Solutions
The Canadian Whale Institute works directly with those whose lives are tied to the sea: fishers, shippers, and coastal communities. Because many of their team members are fishermen themselves, they can speak the same language, understand the challenges, and earn trust.
CWI’s strength lies in trust. They work with marine industries to develop safer gear and practices that protect whales while respecting livelihoods. Their science is shared in clear, practical ways that guide real decisions.
And they engage everyone from schoolchildren to policymakers so that whole communities take part in the whales’ survival.
An important part of CWI’s work is to speak with and understand the concerns of fishers.
By combining science, experience, and human connection, CWI creates solutions people believe in — and carry forward.
The Right Whale to Save
We are at a historic crossroads. After centuries of exploitation, the future of this species depends on what we do now.
Will humans be remembered for their destruction — or for bringing the right whale back from the brink?
Support the Canadian Whale Institute.