help protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales

Slow vessels down to save North Atlantic right whales from extinction

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The North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered, with approximately 370 individuals remaining and fewer than 70 reproductive females. One of the leading threats to their survival is vessel strikes. Vessel strikes leave right whales with agonizing injuries that often lead to death within days or weeks.

We already know the solution—slowing vessels down. But some members of Congress are actively working against improvements to Federal rules that would protect more right whales from being hit by vessels. These improvements establish “slow zones” with safe speed limits in right whale habitats during critical seasons. Blocking these improvements could allow North Atlantic right whales to go extinct in our lifetime.

Join IFAW today—Urge your representative to support “slow zones” and oppose any efforts to block or delay this lifesaving rule change.

The North Atlantic right whale is one of the world’s most endangered animals, with about 370 individuals left in their population. Despite the extremity of their situation, some members of Congress are trying to stop needed improvements being made to federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) rules that protect right whales from one of their leading causes of death, vessel strikes. I am writing to ask you to oppose these extinction-causing delays to protections for this species.

The North Atlantic right whale faces two deadly threats–vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. There are movements to block amendments to NOAA vessel speed rules that significantly reduce the threat vessels pose to whales.

Since 2017, 115 North Atlantic right whales have been killed or seriously injured. There have been 16 documented cases of vessel strikes during this period, including by small recreational vessels in U.S. waters. Vessels of all sizes pose a threat to whales, but we already know the solution–slowing vessels down. NOAA’s new evidence-based rule would require seasonal and temporary speed limits when whales are expected in an area. These 10-knot “slow zones” are applicable to vessels larger than 35 feet in length for specific times when whales are present and are primarily enacted outside of the most popular U.S boating season between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

These proposed changes to NOAA’s rule are critical to preventing the extinction of the North Atlantic right whale. I am standing with IFAW to urge you to do everything in your power to oppose any legislation that could cause the extinction of this species by blocking these protections. The survival of this species is crucial to upholding our bedrock ocean protection laws, and to protecting an iconic Atlantic whale, and you have the power to help save them.

Sincerely,

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Slow vessels down to save North Atlantic right whales from extinction

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