On January 3，2024，a North Atlantic right whale （露脊鲸） in South Carolina was seen with serious injuries on its head and mouth from a boat hitting.It was dying from the injuries.Now，experts are also worried about the survival of this whole population.Because of whale hunting in the 19th century，there are only 356 North Atlantic right whales left.Could boat hitting and overfishing make them disappear forever？
In the 1851 novel Moby Dick，right whales were described as the most respectable large animals being hunted by man.When protections were started in the 1930s，the population —once around 21，000—nearly died out：It was thought that the North Atlantic species（物种） was down to just two dozen.By 2010，the population had got better，reaching nearly 500 before going down again by around 2017.This most re cent fall has not changed much，but the species is still in great danger.
Boat hitting is one of the main dangers to right whales..Research shows that staying within boat speed limits（限制） can protect different whale.species.Slowing down is the only practical way now to protect these whales from being hit.As well as shipping and fishing，changes in weather patterns.make it more difficult for right.whales to find food.
"It is possible to lose North Atlantic right whales forever，"says a biologist.Whales are important to the world because they help to move nutrients（营养） around the ocean—feeding in deep waters then pooping （排便） at the surface.What would happen to the ocean if right whales were lost？
