Whale protections could be delayed until 2035

No more delays: Tell your Representative to oppose harmful bill for right whales

The problem with HR 9436

North Atlantic right whales are running out of time.

With only around 380 whales left in the wild, every injury and every death matters. Yet instead of strengthening protections, Congress is considering a bill that would delay lifesaving action for this species on the brink.

HR 9436, introduced by Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Jared Golden (D-ME), would push back the deadline for stronger fishing gear regulations from 2028 to 2035, despite serious concerns that whales continue to be injured and killed after becoming entangled in gear.

Why it's harmful to right whales

Entanglement is a primary threat. Accidental entanglement in fishing gear—particularly vertical lines used in lobster and crab trap fisheries—is one of the leading causes of death for adult right whales. This bill blocks new protective regulations, and common-sense measures, from addressing that threat for seven additional years.
The population is at a critical tipping point. Only about 380 individuals remain, with just 70 reproductive females. Chronic stress and injury from non-lethal entanglements have already been linked to declining birth rates, compounding the mortality problem.
It sidesteps an unresolved legal problem. A federal court already found the current regulatory scheme unlawful under the ESA and MMPA. Rather than fixing that, HR 9436 extends the same moratorium that let the noncompliant rules stand.
The current deadline hasn't even arrived. The existing moratorium doesn't expire until the end of 2028, this legislation preemptively locks in another seven-year delay before there's any indication the current approach has failed or succeeded.

Send a letter to speak out against this reckless bill right away.

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{contact_data~salutation},

As your constituent, I urge you to oppose H.R 9436—a bill that would extend a moratorium established in 2022 that prevents regulatory protections for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale against accidental entanglements in trap and pot fishing gear by 7 years to 2035.

I am concerned about this extension because North Atlantic right whales are on the brink of extinction. 50 right whales have been killed, injured, or found in poor health due to entanglements since 2022. Entanglements can lead to a slow and painful death, and whales may suffer from chronic stress and physical pain leading to decreased reproduction rates. With about 380 individuals left – and less than a quarter of those being reproductive females, the death of even one whale could be the difference between saving North Atlantic right whales and their extinction.

Instead of delaying the rule further, I urge you to request a progress report from NOAA Fisheries and continue strengthening opportunities for fishermen by funding on-demand gear and the development of other technologies that support the coexistence of whales and fisheries.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

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

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