GIS and Right Whales The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered large whales in the world, an estimated 350 remain. The Right Whale research group at the New England Aquarium has been studying the species in its habitat along the eastern seaboard of the US and Canada since 1980. Aquarium researchers seek to identify the distribution, behavior, migration patterns, reproductive rates, genetic information, and causes of mortality. GIS has proven to be a useful tool for right whale researchers to study geospatial relationships between this species and their environment.  Specifically, researchers are studying geospatial distributions and movements of right whales (Right Whale Mapping Project) and potential conflicts with shipping traffic (Shipping Lanes), to understand the oceanographic cues used by right whales (Remote Sensing Whales), and locating the places where our adopted whales have been seen over a season (Adopted Whales). For more information about the North Atlantic Right Whale and the New England Aquarium’s Right Whale Research Project please visit these sites: Right Whale Research at the New England Aquarium Right Whale Consortium The North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog