Help us save North Atlantic right whales from extinction
- by: IFAW Australia
The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most critically endangered animals in the world, with fewer than 340 individuals remaining in the population, of which only 70 are reproductive females. Since 2017, a staggering 98 right whales have died or been seriously injured in U.S. and Canadian waters
The two leading threats to their survival are vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Vessel strikes leave right whales with agonising injuries that often lead to death within days or weeks. Weighed down by hundreds of pounds of fishing gear, entangled right whales are unable to move freely through the water, feed, and reproduce. Over time, they die a slow death from starvation or injury.
We are calling on federal agencies in the U.S. and Canada to advance and strengthen North Atlantic right whale protective measures and save this dying population. We are urging NOAA, the US Coast Guard, Congress, Transport Canada and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Ocean to:
Increase compliance, enforcement, and awareness within the existing 10 knot speed regulation in North Atlantic right whale management areas;
Expand support for the testing of innovative gear solutions (i.e., on-demand and acoustic) for trap/pot and gillnet fisheries within the habitat and migratory corridors of the North Atlantic right whale;
Strengthen and increase transparency into cross-border collaborations and cooperative federally driven initiatives to holistically address North Atlantic right whale conservation practices
Join us today to protect North Atlantic right whales in their fight to survive the increasing threats from entanglement and vessel strikes.
I am writing to express my concern about the current measures in place to protect North Atlantic right whales. With less than 340 remaining in the population and fewer than 70 reproductively active females, this species needs our help now more than ever.
While efforts have already been implemented to help reduce the threats to North Atlantic right whales, more needs to be done. The U.S. and Canadian governments have the responsibility to save this species as well as the legal and moral obligation to act swiftly. The science is clear, this species faces two primary threats, entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes. I strongly urge you to do the following to help reduce these threats and save this species:
Increase compliance, enforcement, and awareness within the existing 10 knot speed regulation in North Atlantic right whale management areas;
Expand support for the testing of innovative gear solutions (i.e., on-demand and acoustic) for trap/pot and gillnet fisheries within the habitat and migratory corridors of the North Atlantic right whale;
Strengthen and increase transparency into cross-border collaborations and cooperative federally driven initiatives to holistically address North Atlantic right whale conservation practices
The actions we take today will determine the future of this species. It's going to take all of us to save them. Please do your part.
[Your comment here]
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
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