Protect North Atlantic right whales

Climate change is dramatically changing the ocean waters home to the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. These whales are in precarious straits, with fewer than 340 individuals remaining.

The Biden administration’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) must hear support for strong actions designed to bring the right whale back from the brink such as ropeless fishing systems, and a safer 10-knot speed limit for all vessels to significantly reduce lethal ship strikes. We also need strong offshore wind mitigation and monitoring requirements as this new and important industry takes off along American shores.

Submit a public comment thanking NOAA and BOEM for working to protect North Atlantic right whales and urge strong continued actions.

Tell NOAA and BOEM to strengthen protections for this critically endangered species

Photo: NOAA NMFS

North Atlantic right whales are one of the most endangered whales on the planet, facing serious threats from fishing gear entanglement and vessel strikes, as well as being impacted by underwater noise pollution — all while struggling to adapt to climate change.

With fewer than 340 North Atlantic right whales remaining, if the species is to avoid extinction we must take immediate action.

The Biden administration’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) are working to protect North Atlantic right whales, and they must hear support for strong actions to bring the species back from the brink.

Solutions like ropeless fishing systems, which virtually eliminate the risk of entanglement while helping fishermen maintain their livelihoods, and a safer 10-knot speed limit for all vessels would significantly reduce lethal strikes. We also need strong mitigation and monitoring requirements as the new and important offshore wind industry takes off along American shores.

Submit a public comment thanking NOAA and BOEM for working to protect North Atlantic right whales and urge strong continued actions.

CTA

Your Message

Subject Take strong actions to protect the North Atlantic right whale

Dear Assistant Administrator Janet Coit and Director Liz Klein:

Message Body

With fewer than 340 North Atlantic right whales remaining, we must act to rapidly protect this critically endangered species from fishing gear entanglement and vessel strikes, and also minimize impacts from underwater noise pollution and other stressors. We appreciate your efforts to save this iconic whale and urge you to adopt several important solutions:

• We must significantly invest in transitioning the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries to ropeless fishing systems in a way that avoids economic burden on fishermen. Ropeless fishing systems will virtually eliminate entanglements while keeping fishermen on the water and in business.

• We need a strong vessel speed rule that keeps boats 35-feet or greater in length to 10 knots in right whale habitat. Slowing boats to speeds of 10 knots or less significantly reduces the risk of a deadly vessel strike.

• We need a strong strategy to further protect North Atlantic right whales while responsibly developing offshore wind. With new offshore wind projects underway to help us reach our national climate goals — in the same ocean waters that are home to right whales — programmatic mitigation and minimization regulations are needed to help us build this industry smart from the start, for example, by requiring robust underwater noise protections.

We can protect right whales and advance offshore businesses responsibly. We urge you to advance the avoidance and minimization measures that a robust cross-sector North Atlantic right whale strategy requires.

Thank you.

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