Protect North Atlantic right whales

Fewer than 340 North Atlantic right whales remain. But the Trump administration is considering rolling back vital protections that require massive commercial ships to go slower in right whale habitat, which helps reduce deadly strikes. The Trump administration is now accepting public comments on its reckless plan until June 2: Send a message of opposition.

Submit a public comment by June 2.

Submit a public comment opposing the Trump administration’s plan to undo vital vessel speed protections that save endangered whales.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, NOAA permit #26919

The Trump administration is accepting public comments on its reckless plan until June 2: Submit a public comment opposing the administration’s attempt to roll back critical vessel speed protections for North Atlantic right whales.

These protections have had virtually zero impact on economic activity in ports near the whales’ habitat since they were put in place nearly two decades ago. This is the latest in a series of environmental rollbacks from this administration that could have dire consequences for endangered wildlife.

The North Atlantic right whale population has declined rapidly since 2010, and ship strikes particularly hurt vulnerable mothers and their calves that spend more time at the surface and are relatively close to shore. This is on top of other serious threats that right whales already face like fishing gear entanglement and climate change.

But now we need your help to raise a massive public outcry in defense of North Atlantic right whales.

CTA

Your Message

Subject Do not roll back the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule

Dear NOAA:

Message Body

I urge you not to undo federal vessel speed protections that safeguard North Atlantic right whales, one of our nation’s most endangered marine mammals.

These proven, science-based protections have been in place for almost two decades, slowing large commercial ships down to speeds of 10 knots or less in important right whale habitat — and they have had no impact on economic activity in East Coast ports.

The population of North Atlantic right whales has been declining significantly, and ship strikes particularly hurt vulnerable mothers and their calves that spend more time at the surface and are relatively close to shore. This is on top of other serious threats that right whales already face like fishing gear entanglement and climate change.

Ship speed protections work and are widely recognized as a best practice for protecting whales by scientists and the shipping industry. There’s no proof that technology can deliver the same level of protection as simply slowing vessels down. It is reckless to gamble with the future of one of the nation’s most endangered whales.

Thank you.

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