Help defend North Atlantic right whales from attacks in Congress

Some members of Congress are actively trying to stop essential protections for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. These members are attempting to carve up needed improvements to federal rules that protect North Atlantic right whales from boat strikes — a top threat to this species that only has around 356 whales remaining.

Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are in steep decline and on the verge of extinction, and at least 20 whales have been struck by boats since 2017. If we don’t stop dangerous legislation that would put these whales at risk, North Atlantic right whales could be the first large whale species to go extinct in the Atlantic Ocean in centuries.

We’re asking you to tell your members of Congress to oppose all bills and amendments that would block necessary expansion of existing federal rules that require boats to slow down in key areas and seasons where North Atlantic right whales are found.

Almost all of these “slow zones” would not impact U.S. boaters between Memorial Day and Labor Day – the most popular boating months – as most of the whales are in Canada at those times. If carveouts of federal rules are passed, these critically endangered whales will likely be doomed to extinction.

Tell your federal government officials to protect North Atlantic right whales from extinction-causing legislation and oppose all efforts to delay needed protections.

petition text

Dear {contact_data~salutation} {contact_data~firstName},

North Atlantic right whales are one of the most endangered whales in the world, with only around 356 individuals left. But there are recent, extreme attempts in Congress to halt essential improvements to federal National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) rules to protect North Atlantic right whales from being hit by boats. I am asking you to oppose dangerous, unnecessary carveouts of whale protections during this Congress.

Proposed legislation would gut necessary expansions of NOAA safeguards to reduce the risk of vessels hitting whales without proposing a commonsense alternative. Last year, Congress enacted a six-year freeze on rules to protect whales from the other top threat: entanglement in fishing gear. Further weakening NOAA’s authority to take needed action under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act to reduce whale deaths would spell extinction for this entire species.

North Atlantic right whales are swimming along the cliff of extinction. If as few as one whale per year dies from human causes, the species will not be able to recover. Collisions with vessels are one of the two leading causes of injury and death for the species. Since 2008, at least 12 whales have been struck by boats in U.S. waters. The most effective way to stop boats from hitting North Atlantic right whales is by slowing vessels down in areas and seasons that are vital to the species — just what NOAA has proposed.

NOAA’s proposed rule requires both seasonal and temporary speed limits for vessels and uses sound science to determine when whales are expected to pass through each area. Almost all of these “slow zones” (except a smaller zone near Nantucket and Georges Bank that runs through the end of June) would not impact U.S. boaters between Memorial Day and Labor Day – the most popular boating months – as most of the whales are in Canada at those times. These temporary slowdowns for boaters are only applicable a few months a year and will have no effect on boats under 35 feet in length. These improvements to existing rules will be key to reducing whale deaths and preventing the rapid extinction of this species.

That’s why I am standing with Oceana to call on you to fight against any and all attempts that would cause the extinction of this species. Please champion the iconic North Atlantic right whale and oppose these unnecessary carveouts of bedrock ocean protection laws. The survival of this species depends on stopping these political attempts to block federal whale protections.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

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Background photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, taken under NOAA permit 20556-01