Second North Atlantic Right Whale Found Dead Off U.S. East Coast This Year

The 3-year-old female whale was the calf of a 25-year-old right whale named Porcia.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A North Atlantic right whale washed ashore on a Virginia barrier island, marking the second whale of the endangered species to be found dead off the U.S. East Coast this year and the 43rd confirmed death under an ongoing unusual mortality event, according to federal scientists.

Why it matters

The loss of a young female right whale is especially impactful for the already small population, as a single female could add at least 10 whales to the right whale population in her lifetime. This death highlights the ongoing threats facing the endangered North Atlantic right whale, including entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes.

The details

The 3-year-old female whale was identified as the calf of a 25-year-old right whale named Porcia. Porcia had given birth to three whales, all of which are now dead, with the other two dying from fishing gear entanglements. NOAA officials are working to examine, document, and necropsy the animal to determine the cause of death.

  • On February 10, 2026, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center notified NOAA of the dead right whale on a barrier island off Virginia's eastern shore.
  • On January 27, 2026, a partial carcass of a 4-year-old male right whale was seen floating about 25 miles offshore of Avon, North Carolina.

The players

Porcia

A 25-year-old right whale who had given birth to three whales, all of which are now dead.

NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency that announced the discovery of the dead right whale.

The Nature Conservancy

Biologists from this organization found the carcass of the 3-year-old female right whale on the barrier island.

New England Aquarium

Officials from this organization were able to identify the whale as the calf of Porcia.

Oceana

The largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization, which commented on the death of the young female right whale.

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What they’re saying

“The loss of a young female is especially impactful for an already small population. Given the opportunity, a single female could add at least 10 whales to the right whale population in her lifetime.”

— Amy Warren, Scientific program officer in the New England Aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center (NOAA)

“Another whale is gone, a young female that could have helped contribute to the future of a population already on the brink of extinction. We can and we must do better.”

— Nora Ives, Marine scientist with Oceana (NOAA)

“To see a juvenile female, who held so much potential to grow this population, needlessly die is infuriating. These deaths are not isolated events.”

— Kathleen Collins, Senior marine campaign manager with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (NOAA)

What’s next

NOAA officials are working with Marine Mammal Stranding Network partners to examine, document and necropsy the animal to the extent possible because it is located in a remote area with limited access.

The takeaway

The death of this young female right whale is a significant blow to the already endangered North Atlantic right whale population, highlighting the ongoing threats these animals face from entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes. Conservation efforts must be strengthened to protect this critically important species.