Protect North Atlantic Right Whales
North Atlantic right whales have shattered a 15-year record this calving season, already welcoming 23 new calves! Now, the mothers and their newborns are journeying back north to their feeding grounds. Federal safeguards, including minimizing the risk of vessels striking these whales, are essential to making that journey safe and successful. But those protections are now on the line.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is considering weakening the existing Vessel Speed Rule that protects critically endangered North Atlantic right whales from deadly collisions. These collisions are not only dangerous for whales but can also put the passengers and crews of these vessels at risk.
With around 380 remaining, every individual whale is critical to the future of the species. That's why we need your voice now. Oceana is calling on NOAA to not only maintain the existing rule but also strengthen it to ensure the safety of these whales.
Take action with Oceana and tell NOAA: Protect North Atlantic right whales!
Petition Letter
I’m firmly opposed to weakening the Vessel Speed Rule (VSR) that protects critically endangered North Atlantic right whales from deadly ship strikes.
The best-available science is clear: The path to recovery for Noth Atlantic right whales requires reducing the injuries and deaths caused by people — including those caused by collisions with vessels. For nearly two decades, the VSR has helped protect these whales. It’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce deadly boat collisions that can be deadly to whales and people alike.
While there are a number of technologies that are in development that may have some benefit to North Atlantic right whales, none have yet been proven to reduce the risk to the whales across the range of the species or at the scale of boat traffic in U.S. waters. And while technology can be a tool to help protect whales, it does not replace the need for existing, effective safeguards to save North Atlantic right whales from extinction
Instead of deregulating boat traffic and exposing North Atlantic right whales to more risk as they struggle to survive, NOAA should build its past work and propose meaningful improvements to the current rules that protect these whales.