Ship strikes are taking their toll on the North Atlantic right whale as these gentle giants migrate through busy shipping lanes on the eastern seaboard. But the Bush/Cheney Administration refuses to intervene -- choosing instead to do nothing as these marine mammals continue to move toward extinction.
Right whales are among the rarest of all marine mammals. Scientists believe that there are only between 300 and 400 North Atlantic right whales left. But there’s new hope in the Senate as legislation introduced by Sens. John Kerry and Olympia Snowe makes its way through Congress. The Ship Strike Reduction Act of 2008 would provide much-needed speed limits for certain types of ships that travel through the migration paths of North Atlantic right whales.
Please tell your Senators to protect right whales and support The Ship Strike Reduction Act of 2008 (S. 2657) today.
Dear Senator [Last Name]:
As someone who is concerned about the struggling North Atlantic right whale, I urge you to support the Ship Strike Reduction Act of 2008 (S.2657).
Right whales are among the rarest of all marine mammals. Scientists believe that there are only between 300 and 400 North Atlantic right whales left.
Their migration along the eastern seaboard takes them directly through some of the busiest shipping lanes in the U.S. -- and ship strikes are the number one cause of mortality of North Atlantic right whales. Ship strikes are responsible for 37% of whale deaths in just the last twenty two years.
Because they are slow to mature and reproduce, the loss of even one right whale has an enormous impact on the prospects for the survival of the entire species.
The Ship Strike Reduction Act of 2008 would provide much-needed speed limits for certain types of ships that travel through the migration paths of North Atlantic right whales.
I urge you to support this important legislation to protect the struggling North Atlantic right whale.
Thank you for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
[Your Comments]
