Center for Biological Diversity: BOSTON— A North Atlantic right whale reported dead 20 miles off Georgia on Feb. 13 was likely hit and killed by a vessel strike, NOAA Fisheries announced today. The whale was identified as a female born to first-time mother Pilgrim during the 2022-2023 calving season. While final necropsy results are pending, the injuries documented are consistent with blunt force trauma caused by a vessel strike.