Summary
Large whales face a number of threats to their survival, with vessel collisions (ship strikes) being one of the most serious. Species that are found close to shore or overlap with busy shipping lanes are particularly vulnerable. The endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), with only ~350 individuals remaining in the entire species, and endangered sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) feed in the heavily trafficked Massachusetts Bay and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Both species often feed on the same prey near the surface, exposing them to possible injury or death
