Action Alert! 5 Minutes of Your Time Urgently Needed to Protect Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales
UPDATE:
We have added an email option! Our colleagues from DC have advised us that phone calls will be the most effective, but we wanted to give you another opportunity for your voice to be heard.
With fewer than 340 North Atlantic right whales left in the whole world, we have to help speak up for them. A proposed rule in Congress puts right whales and boaters at risk and we must act quickly to ask members of Congress to vote NO on the "Protecting Whales, Human Safety, and the Economy Act of 2023".
Here's how you can help -
What you can do: Contact your members of Congress now. We have set up everything you need to confidently make these calls - follow this link for talking points and to easily look up phone numbers for your members of Congress.
What should you say?
To have the most impact, use the statement below and make it your own! Using your own version reinforces that we are all individuals who our legislators represent. Make it personal by using your feelings and experiences - your voice matters!
"Please vote NO on the bill called “Protecting Whales, Human Safety, and the Economy Act of 2023”, because it does the exact opposite. NOAA proposed rule to reduce right whale vessel strikes is based on sound science and will help to keep boaters and whales safe. No technological solutions exist currently and right whales do not have the time for them to be developed. They need protections now!"
Should you call or email?
Our colleagues from DC have advised us that phone calls will be most effective.
When should you call?
ASAP! We currently don't know when this will be voted on so make your voice heard as soon as possible.
For North Atlantic right whales to recover, we have to make sure they have safe places to live. Unfortunately, one of the biggest threats that right whales face is being struck by a vessel (boat or ship). By lowering the chances of these accidents happening, we can give right whales safer seas to feed, socialize, and raise their babies.
Protect North Atlantic right whales!
BACKGROUND:
North Atlantic right whales are a critically endangered species with fewer than 340 individuals remaining, including only 70 reproducing females. Vessel strikes are one of the two biggest threats faced by this species.
Last week, a bill was introduced in Congress that would prohibit the much needed expansion of the vessel strike speed rule to protect right whales from vessel strikes.
WHAT DOES THE BILL DO?
This bill prohibits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from issuing a rule that modifies or replaces the North Atlantic right whale vessel strike reduction regulation until technological solutions recently authorized by Congress can help better track whales and avoid strikes.
WHAT IS THE PROPOSED RULE?
NOAA is proposing to create new seasonal 10kt speed zones in places where right whales are at risk of being struck. It also includes updates to the safety provision, which would allow vessels less than 65 feet in length to deviate from the speed restriction under certain conditions.
WHAT ARE THE TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS?
Sadly, there are no technological solutions currently available that will help boaters avoid strikes other than slowing down.
Right whales, especially mothers and calves, spend most of their time at or near the surface. While many types of technology have been tested including radar, sonar, and even acoustic alarms, none have worked to reduce strikes. In fact, acoustic alarms resulted in whales coming to the surface, making it more likely they would be hit.
WHY IS SLOWING DOWN BETTER FOR BOATERS?
Just like slowing down in a school zone, speed zones on the water gives boaters and the whales a chance to react and move out of harm’s way.
In February 2022, a sport fishing vessel accidentally struck a mother and calf right whale, killing the calf and seriously injuring the mother. The vessel was totaled, resulting in a $1.2 million USD loss.
Share with your pod!
Please vote NO on the bill called “Protecting Whales, Human Safety, and the Economy Act of 2023”, because it does the exact opposite. NOAA proposed rule to reduce right whale vessel strikes is based on sound science and will help to keep boaters and whales safe. No technological solutions exist currently and right whales do not have the time for them to be developed. They need protections now!”