Whales and other marine life are threatened by increasing noise pollution from shipping, mining, sonar, and seismic surveys used by the oil and gas industry. Noise pollution disrupts whales' communication and ability to hunt, and has caused mass strandings that have killed hundreds at once. Whales are an endangered species, with only around 500 North Atlantic right whales remaining, and face additional threats from climate change, whaling, and ships that accidentally kill them. Stronger protections are needed to prevent whales from disappearing due to human activities.