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Hi John,
Senators Joe Manchin and Lindsey Graham share a common goal: making North Atlantic right whales extinct.
They proposed a bill that would put off slowing down boats and ships in right whale habitat. And vessel strikes are a leading cause of death for these magnificent and highly endangered animals.
The Center for Biological Diversity is fighting for them. Please help by giving to the Saving Life on Earth Fund today.
NOAA Fisheries has a rule in place to try to reduce vessel strikes.
But it doesn't go far enough — and right whales are paying for that.
So we filed an emergency petition to implement new rules for vessels in the coastal waters where right whales feed, have their babies, and migrate.
And we're in court trying to force the agency to finalize its proposed rule to expand the speed limits before the next right whale calving season begins in November.
Now Manchin and Graham want to ban the government from strengthening that rule until 2030, just so industry can make more profits.
Right whales don't have that long.
As few as 360 remain — and only 70 are females currently capable of having young.
Because of how much time they spend at the water's surface, mothers and calves are the ones most vulnerable to vessel strikes. This makes increased protection vital to the species' survival and recovery.
Federal scientists say 50 calves need to be born each year for several years to allow the population to recover — but only 19 were born in the most recent calving season. Tragically, one of those calves was already killed by a vessel strike and four more are missing and presumed dead.
In 2017 NOAA Fisheries called the crisis North Atlantic right whales are facing an "unusual mortality event." It's been seven years. It's not unusual anymore.
As federal agencies get bogged down in bureaucracy and politicians push laws that will doom precious species to disappearing forever, we keep fighting. We have to.
It's the fight of a lifetime, and we need you with us.
Please give now to the Saving Life on Earth Fund.
For the wild,
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