for North Atlantic right whales

Judith,

North Atlantic right whales are on the brink of extinction.?

Current population studies estimate that there are fewer than 366 living whales, with only 82 reproductively active females. Entanglement in commercial fishing gear and vessel strikes are the leading cause of serious injury and death for this majestic species.

The law requires NOAA Fisheries to make new rules to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales in U.S. waters. After years of delay, the agency finally released a proposed rule to reduce entanglement risk, but its risk reduction measures are based on outdated science and do not go far enough to save right whales from extinction.?

The time to speak up for the North Atlantic right whale is NOW. With our voices combined, we can act to save one of the world’s most endangered whale species.

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Lobster and crab are caught with vertical buoy lines in areas where right whales concentrate. Because vertical lines run from the trap up to the surface buoy, traps and pots can entangle marine animals including endangered North Atlantic right whales, humpback whales, fin whales, and grey whales. The effects of entanglement can range from no permanent injury to serious injury and death. If the traps are weighted down, entangled whales, dolphins, and sea turtles can drown if they cannot reach the surface to breathe.?

NOAA Fisheries estimates that entanglement risk from lobster and crab fisheries needs to be reduced by 60% to 80%. The calculations in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement showing how NOAA Fisheries proposes to achieve that risk reduction rely on an old stock assessment using 2016 population estimates, whereas the most recent population estimates indicate that the North Atlantic right whale has further declined to about 366 animals.

So there is no question that a risk reduction target of at least 80%—which accounts for unseen whale mortalities—is required. The alternative measures that NOAA Fisheries released would achieve only 60-69% risk reduction.?

North Atlantic right whales can recover if NOAA Fisheries takes swift, effective action to protect them from the vertical buoy lines that entangle and kill them. The proposed rule must be revised, and the final rule must meet the level of risk reduction required by the most recent scientific information.?

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Human beings are responsible for the right whale teetering on the brink of extinction.?

But we can help save these magnificent whales. With your help, we can conserve and recover the North Atlantic right whale population, so this enormous, gentle animal can continue to? play its vital role in our ocean ecosystem

For the ocean,??

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? ? ?Annalisa Batanides Tuel
? ? ?Policy & Advocacy Manager?
? ? ?Turtle Island Restoration Network

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Make a Splash!

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