NOAA

Federal officials have released a new population estimate for eastern North Pacific gray whales. It’s about 13,000 — the lowest number since the 1970s.

After an official Unusual Mortality Event was declared over, scientists expected the population to rebound. Instead, they're seeing high numbers of strandings.

For decades, volunteers have been the foundation of efforts to protect Washington's Pacific coast from marine debris. And they're still going.

The Makah Tribe has formally requested permission to resume its traditional whale hunt this July. A permit application is out for public comment.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, said at least 880 federal employees at the weather and research agency face job cuts.

The senator said the cuts put forecasting and ocean safety at risk.

DOGE has its sights on NOAA and the National Weather Service. Gutting them could imperil millions and cost billions.

Oceana, a Washington-based conservation group, sued the federal government to release images of dead orca whales and other marine mammals entangled by commercial fishing boats.

Market forces combined with fishery collapses occurring in a rapidly changing environment caused Alaska’s seafood industry to lose $1.8 billion from 2022 to 2023, a new federal report said.

After an extended — and unprecedented process — NOAA Fisheries has granted the Makah tribe’s request for a waiver under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The tribe hopes to exercise their treaty right to whaling next spring.