The North Atlantic right whale (*Eubalaena glacialis*) is a large baleen whale historically targeted for its valuable blubber and baleen. These slow-moving, coastal whales were once abundant in the North Atlantic, but centuries of intense commercial whaling, especially from the 16th to early 20th centuries, brought them to the brink of extinction. The primary countries involved in right whale hunting included the United States (notably New England), Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, and the Netherlands, whose fleets sought right whales for oil and other products. Today, the North Atlantic right whale is a critically endangered species, and all forms of hunting are strictly prohibited under international law. Modern fishing industries no longer target this species, and current efforts focus on protection and recovery, as fewer than 350 individuals remain.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.