Recent plans to expand protections for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale were reversed in a shocking decision by the The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service. Since 2020, at least 16 right whales have been killed or injured by boats. With just 70 reproductive females left in the wild, time is running out. This decision is a severe threat to their survival, and must be reversed.
Sign the petition to demand the NOAA Fisheries reverse this decision immediately and implement mandatory speed limits and stronger protections to prevent fatal vessel strikes!
Last year alone, four right whales, including two breeding females and their calves, were killed in U.S. waters due to vessel strikes. Research has proven that reducing vessel speeds to 10 knots or less drastically reduces the risk of these fatal collisions. Despite experts tirelessly advocating for this, NOAA has stepped back from enforcing speed restrictions that could save lives.
The proposed rule was set to extend speed restrictions to more areas frequented by these whales and include smaller vessels not currently covered by speed limits. Its withdrawal not only ignores the best available science but directly contravenes years of advocacy and evidence presented by leading conservation groups.
Together, we can correct this course and give North Atlantic right whales a fighting chance at survival. The world is watching – let us be leaders in marine conservation, not the architects of a tragedy.
Sign the petition to demand that NOAA Fisheries reinstate and enforce protections for our ocean's guardians!
