Commercial fishing kills North Atlantic right whales every year.  The main threats to the species are accidental collisions with boats and drowning due to fish gear entanglement.  Given the low population numbers, each whale killed might jeapordize the existence of the species. 

Although North Atlantic right whales continue to fall victim to dirty-fishing, the federal government is not making the appropiate changes needed to protect these animals from potential extinction.  This lack of action is clearly a violation of both the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) .  

In February 2005, Oceana sent a letter of concern to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), pointing out their flawed plan to protect the Northern right whale. In the letter, they urge the government to update its latest whale take reduction plan and environmental impact statement to apply the standards of the ESA and MMPA, which would grant stronger protection for the North Atlantic right whale population. READ LETTER>>

 

North Atlantic Right Whale protection update released by National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA Fact sheet on Northern right whales

 

 

 

• Donate  » 
• Join  » 

 

Congressional Trade Leaders Call on White House to Stop Overfishing Subsidies (July 18, 2008)

Latin American Countries Stake Position in WTO Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations (July 17, 2008)

Conservation Groups Blast Bush Administration s to Address Global Warming Pollution (July 14, 2008)

 Subscribe:

Roberts on Fuel Subsidies: No Thanks

Elly's Hot Topics: the Reef Symposium

Our Eco-Ocean Award