The population of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale that frequents Vineyard waters has increased slightly, though scientists and conservationists still worry about the future of the species. 

A new report from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium this week estimated that the right whale population rose to about 372 whales at the beginning of 2023, up from a previous estimate of 356 whales. 

The report found there are some positive short-term signs of population growth in the last few years, including a falling number of deaths and rising number of births.

“To see the population estimate increasing gives us hope that what felt like a free fall over the past decade may be behind us,” said Heather Pettis, a research scientist in the New England Aquirium’s Anderson Cabot Center and the chair of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. “While we still have a great deal of work to do to ensure that this species not only recovers but thrives, it feels really good to be able to share a little bit of positive news.”

Right whales, which forage off the coast of New England, are one of the most endangered species of whale. The highest that the population has reached in the past 20 years was 483 in 2011, according to the population report released Tuesday. The report also found the sharp decrease in the population that occurred from 2015 to 2020 appears to have slowed, although not enough to allow the species to recover. 

North Atlantic right whales were once common off the coast, but were hunted to near extinction due to commercial whaling by the end of the 19th century. The species has still not recovered to pre-whaling numbers. 

Human interaction remains the greatest threat to the species, according to scientists, with entanglements in fishing line and vessel strikes being the leading causes of death.

Climate change has exacerbated the issue. As oceans warm, the distribution of the whale’s prey has changed, sending the whales into places with fewer protections.

The New England Aquarium said there have been five documented right whale deaths in 2024, and four lost calves that are presumed dead. Those figures include the dead whale right whale that washed ashore in Edgartown in January. NOAA later determined that it died due to chronic entanglement. Thirteen whales were also hurt by human-caused injuries this year. 

Philip Hamilton, a senior scientist at the aquarium, said more needs to be done to help save the species. 

“While the whales may be adapting to a rapidly changing environment, the continued high level of mortality and serious injury clearly shows we must continue to adapt and evolve our management,” he said.