The situation is dire.

Only about 50 critically endangered Rice's whales remain — threatened by oil and gas development, habitat loss, ocean noise pollution, and vessel strikes. We must act immediately, and decisively, if we have any chance to save them.

NRDC and our partners submitted a petition on behalf of these magnificent, desperately endangered whales calling on NOAA to slow large commercial ships and industry vessels in Rice's whales' habitat and to take other necessary measures to reduce collision risk. They have now taken up our petition and opened it up for public comment — and that's where you come in.

Please, submit your comment to NOAA in support of our petition to protect the remaining 50 endangered Rice's whales from preventable ship strikes in the Gulf of Mexico.

Because they rest just below the surface at night, Rice's whales are particularly vulnerable to collisions with quick-moving vessels. In addition, underwater noise pollution from ships, as well as other human activities, such as seismic blasting, inhibit the whales' ability to hear and can affect their critical life functions, including communication, reproduction, and feeding.

We know that speed-reduction measures like these can protect Rice's whales. Studies of similar whale species, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale, have shown that reducing vessel speeds to 10 knots or less can significantly reduce the risk — and severity — of ship strikes.

The deck is already stacked against this magnificent species, which suffered significant losses from the Deepwater Horizon spill. NOAA must do everything in their power to help protect Rice's whales, before it's too late.

Urge NOAA to protect these critically endangered whales from ship strikes and help bring them back from the brink.

Thank you for taking action. Though time is running out, it is not too late to save this remarkable species.

Sincerely,

Michael Jasny
Director, Marine Mammal Protection, NRDC