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In 2021 North Atlantic right whale, Infinity, and her calf were struck by a 54-foot sport fishing boat. Infinity was spotted swimming a few days later with injuries from the incident while, sadly, her calf was found dead with deep propeller wounds which was determined to be the cause of death. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has proposed updated rules for vessels to prevent deaths like this, however, U.S. lawmakers are continuing to stall and block them from going into effect. Tell your representatives to allow these rules to be enacted!

Infinity's calf sustained deadly injuries due to a ship strike.

North Atlantic right whales are critically endangered with only approximately 360 individuals left, and only 70 of those are reproductively active females. In 2017 NOAA declared an Unusual Mortality Event for North Atlantic right whales which is still ongoing today. The elevated deaths caused by vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements are what led to the declaration.

It is estimated that 20,000 whales globally are killed every year by vessel strikes, which are a significant threat to whales as they migrate, feed, give birth, and socialize in waters busy with vessel traffic. North Atlantic right whale mothers with their calves are among the most vulnerable to vessel strikes. Juno, a 38-year-old North Atlantic right whale, was the first whale to be spotted with a calf during the 2023-2024 calving season. Sadly, she had to watch her calf slowly die suffering from injuries caused by a vessel strike. Most whales do not survive a vessel strike but even when they do survive the initial trauma they are unlikely to recover from their injuries and typically die soon after.

Even with the Unusual Mortality Event being declared and the multitude of recorded deaths from vessel strikes of North Atlantic right whales, U.S. lawmakers are trying to block NOAA from enacting updated rules to protect them.

In 2022 NOAA introduced a new proposal to update the 2008 vessel speed rule, which would expand the size of the covered area, extend seasonal speed restrictions, and broaden the rules to include smaller vessels like the vessel that hit Infinity and her calf. The proposed rules are based on research that shows slowing vessels to 10 knots reduces a whale's risk of death from a vessel strike by 80-90%. Yet there are bills being proposed that would block these rules from being enacted until 2030.

It is estimated that 10% of the North Atlantic right whale population has been killed by vessel strikes in the last 10 years. Human actions are driving these whales closer and closer to extinction and our interventions so far have not been enough. They need us to act now! Tell your representatives to support NOAA's new regulations to save North Atlantic right whales.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Save the North Atlantic Right Whales!

As a constituent concerned about wildlife and the North Atlantic right whales in particular, I am writing to urge you to allow NOAA Fisheries to enact proposed updates to the North Atlantic Right Whale vessel strike reduction rule and to vote against the Protecting Whales, Human Safety, and the Economy Act of 2024 (HR 8704) and companion legislation. 

North Atlantic right whales are racing toward extinction and we need to act now in order to save them. With approximately 360 left we are running out of time to ensure this species survives. NOAA Fisheries declared an Unusual Mortality Event for North Atlantic right whales in 2017 that is still ongoing today. With vessel strikes being one of the two leading causes of death in these animals it is important we do what we can to reduce the harm we cause them.

Studies show that speed restrictions do in fact help protect whales and reduce the risk of a deadly vessel strike. However, the current rules are not sufficient. NOAA Fisheries’ 2022 proposal aligns with current research about how to best protect these animals and can greatly benefit this endangered species.

The Protecting Whales, Human Safety, and the Economy Act of 2024 (HR 8704) and companion House legislation would severely harm these whales by prohibiting NOAA Fisheries from enacting the proposed rules until 2030. Being able to rely on technology and AI to reduce vessel strikes is still many years away and these whales need us to act now! 

These animals will slowly disappear without our intervention. Please allow the proposed NOAA Fisheries rules to go into effect so these animals have a fighting chance.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.