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Hi John,
A young North Atlantic right whale washed ashore earlier this year on Martha's Vineyard.
Sadly, she had spent most of her too-short life entangled in fishing gear. The problem was so bad, the condition was considered "chronic."
What happened to her is heartbreaking — and proof that these whales urgently need more protection.
The Center for Biological Diversity is fighting for them. Please help today by giving to the Saving Life on Earth Fund.
The whale who washed ashore was her mother's only known calf. She died from trauma caused by fishing line set off the coast of Maine, and the gear embedded in her body was consistent with what's used in Maine's trap/pot buoy lines.
She was first spotted entangled in 2022, already suffering. She likely spent most of her time on Earth in pain from fishing gear.
As few as 360 North Atlantic right whales are left — they're among the world's most endangered whales.
That's why we're pushing for the widespread adoption of on-demand or "pop-up" buoy gear, which doesn't have the buoy lines that entangle and kill them.
But entanglements aren't the only problem. Boat strikes also injure and kill these animals. In 2024 alone, at least four right whales have been seriously injured or killed by strikes.
That's why 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 NOAA Fisheries to finalize its proposed rule to expand speed limits before right whale calving season begins in November.
The government knows that fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes are the leading cause of death for these right whales.
Yet it's not acting with urgency to save them.
Far too many North Atlantic right whales are suffering and dying. But their deaths are preventable.
The extinction crisis is here, and we can't stand by and let it rob us of precious and unique animals like these whales.
Please help today with a donation to the Saving Life on Earth Fund.
For the wild,
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