Researchers say they see "positive news" in the latest population estimate for North Atlantic right whales , but stress that conservation measures are still needed to save the critically endangered species from extinction. The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, which is meeting in New Bedford, Massachusetts this week, says the population estimate for 2024 is 384, an increase of 2.1% from the previous year. The past four years have shown a trend of "slow growth," the New England Aquarium