Fishing gear is one of the main death traps for whales – driving many
populations to the brink of extinction.
We have the chance to hold a major culprit accountable: the Maine lobster
fishery. Recent evidence shows that their rope traps have killed whales in
the US.

Together, we can demand justice!

NOAA: Enforce strict regulations on lobster fishing in Maine—introduce
"rope-less traps"! The time to act is now.

[ [link removed] ] Sign the petition 

   
John,

Barely old enough to navigate the vast ocean on her own, a young female
North Atlantic right whale has drowned due to the deathly grip of the
fishing gear wrapped around her tail. Her lifeless body washed ashore on a
Massachusetts beach.

But there's a way to save this critically endangered species. “Rope-less
traps” offer a lifeline to these vulnerable creatures, and The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has the power to enforce
their use. For years, the Maine lobster industry has fiercely resisted
stricter regulations, but the evidence is clear.

Now is our moment to demand stronger, more sustainable practices that
protect marine life. Together, we can urge NOAA to ban these death traps
once and for all.

[ [link removed] ]NOAA: Strong regulations and compliance for Maine lobster industry –
introduce “rope-less traps”!

The North Atlantic right whales, gentle giants of the coastal waters along
the US East Coast, are in great danger. Nearly 100 of these majestic
animals have been killed tangled in fishing gear since 2017. And as of
June 2024, only about 360 animals remain in the waters, with fewer than 70
reproductively active females. Their numbers are steadily dwindling and
because of that the species status moved from “Endangered” to “Critically
Endangered” on the IUCN Red List.

Fishing gear is one of the two primary death traps threatening the
survival of these whales. Entangled animals either drown quickly or suffer
agonizing injuries that lead to starvation, infection, and a slow, painful
death.

For far too long, the Maine lobster industry has rejected responsibility
for the entanglement and deaths of North Atlantic right whales. They've
insisted there was no proof that their gear was to blame. But the proof is
now in our hands – and we will not let them escape accountability.

The Ekō community is a global movement dedicated to protecting people, the
planet, and animals. Tens of thousands of Eko members came together to
demand better hygiene on UK salmon farms. We made headlines and pressured
the authorities to announce stricter standards for waste pollution and sea
lice control. Today, we can join forces to introduce strong laws that
protect whales from the deadly traps set by the fishing industry.

[ [link removed] ]NOAA: Enforce strict regulations on lobster fishing in Maine—introduce
“rope-less traps”! The time to act is now.



[ [link removed] ] Sign the petition 



Thanks for all that you do,
Ildem and the team at Ekō


More information:

[ [link removed] ]Young female endangered right whale found dead on Martha’s Vineyard
beach
Defenders of Wildlife 31 January 2024
[ [link removed] ]Dead Right Whale Confirmed Entangled in Maine Fishing Gear
NRDC 14 February 2024

 

 

Ekō is a worldwide movement of people like you, working together to hold corporations accountable for their actions and forge a new, sustainable path for our global economy.

Please help keep Ekō strong by chipping in $3. [link removed]