World Whale Day

Loading....

Take Action Today to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales!

The North Atlantic Right Whale is one of the most endangered large whale species in the world, with latest estimates suggesting there are fewer than 350 remaining. Human impacts, specifically entanglements in fixed fishing gear and vessel strikes, are the biggest threats to this species – and they are preventable.

In order to survive, whales need fewer obstacles. Tremendous advances in on-demand fishing technology show great promise as a critical tool for removing rope from the ocean. And innovations in active surveying and passive acoustic monitoring of right whale habitats help greatly to identify mandatory seasonal speed zones to reduce vessel strikes. To effectively scale these technologies, support fisheries, and protect right whales, Congress must fully appropriate the funds necessary to subsidize and expedite these efforts.

We just need few pieces of information to connect you with your representatives.

Yes! I want to receive updates from the New England Aquarium about future ocean conservation and advocacy opportunities!

Take Action

Act Today to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales!

The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered large whale species in the world with latest estimates showing there are fewer than 350 individuals remaining. Human impacts, specifically entanglements in fixed fishing gear and vessel strikes, are the biggest threats to this species – and they are preventable.

To survive, whales need fewer obstacles to recovery. Tremendous advances in on-demand fishing technology show great promise as a critical tool for removing fishing rope from the ocean. And innovations in active surveying and passive acoustic monitoring of right whale habitats help greatly to identify mandatory seasonal speed zones to reduce vessel strikes. To effectively grow these technologies, support fisheries, and protect right whales, Congress must fully appropriate the funds necessary to subsidize and expedite these efforts.

Enter a brief description that your supporters can use to identify the group of message recipients.

Subject: Request: Appropriate funds needed to protect North Atlantic right whales

Message:

As your constituent, I am writing today to encourage you to fully appropriate the funds needed to assess, develop, and carry out activities that reduce threats to critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.

The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered large whale species in the world with latest estimates showing there are fewer than 350 individuals remaining. The recovery of the species has been limited due to deaths and injuries caused by human activities; particularly entanglement in fixed fishing gear and strikes from vessels over 35 ft in length. Title II, Section. 201 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R.2617), signed into law by President Biden in December 2022 authorizes $50 million in funding for projects designed to reduce the lethal and sub-lethal effects of human activities on North Atlantic right whales.

More than 86% of right whales have experienced at least one and some individuals as many as eight entanglements, and on-demand gear has shown great promise in reducing entanglement risks while keeping the fishing community on the water. Eligible projects under this grant program could include the continued development and implementation of on-demand fishing gear and related technologies , as well projects to subsidize the cost of such gear and training for fishers.

Eligible projects could also include those that support real-time monitoring to help detect the presence of highly migratory right whales, identify areas of increased vessel-strike risk, and develop solutions for mitigating this risk such as enforcing vessel speed restrictions across more expansive areas of the ocean when alerted to the presence of right whales. A 2013 study found that vessel speed restrictions reduced vessel-strike mortality risk by 80–90%.

As a voter and constituent, I ask you to support the full appropriation of funds authorized in H.R.2617 for right whale conservation and protection. Without urgent action, the first large whale extinction in over three centuries could occur within our lifetime. But, with Congressional support, the story of the right whale can instead be one of recovery , showing that collective, decisive action, and collaboration can save a species from extinction.

Thank you for your leadership.

Take Action Today to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales!

Act Today to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales!

Sorry, we're not targeting any representatives in your district, but you can still help protect North Atlantic right whales by sharing to your networks!