Emergency Measures Urged to Save Endangered Whales from Ship Collisions

A coalition of environmental organizations is making a passionate plea to the federal government to take swift action in safeguarding a critically endangered whale species from deadly encounters with large ships. On September 28, these advocacy groups formally submitted a petition to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to protect the North Atlantic right whale, which is teetering on the brink of extinction.

A Vanishing Species in Peril

The North Atlantic right whale, a colossal creature weighing more than five school buses, now numbers fewer than 340 individuals. This majestic species has faced a steep decline in recent years, and one of the most urgent threats to its survival is ship collisions, according to NOAA.

A Plea for Speed Limits

To mitigate this threat, the environmental groups are calling on NOAA to implement emergency rules aimed at reducing the risk of ship strikes. They point to a proposed rule by NOAA designed to compel vessels to slow down when in the vicinity of whales, but this rule has been pending for over a year without a final decision.

A Race Against Time

The groups stress the critical importance of implementing these new rules before the upcoming calving season. During this season, the North Atlantic right whales embark on a journey spanning hundreds of miles from their northern waters off New England and Canada to their calving grounds off Florida and Georgia.

Kristen Monsell, oceans legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the petitioning groups, emphasized, "Even a single ship strike could push these whales closer to extinction, but speed limits can make a difference. Federal officials cannot afford to remain idle while these right whales are in danger."

NOAA's Response and Future Actions

NOAA is expected to announce its final decision on the proposed rule later this year, possibly during the crucial calving season. The agency is also contemplating expanding "slow zones" along the East Coast and increasing compliance among vessels.

While NOAA has not commented on the ongoing litigation regarding this matter, it did receive more than 90,000 comments on the proposed rule, which will play a role in shaping the final decision.

A Tragic History and Ongoing Challenges

Once abundant off the East Coast, North Atlantic right whales were decimated during the commercial whaling era and have been protected under the Endangered Species Act for decades. These whales also face the risk of accidental entanglement in commercial fishing gear, which has led to contentious disputes between the federal government and fishermen over proposed restrictions to prevent such entanglements.