PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The U.S. ocean regulatory agency, NOAA, is preparing to announce modifications to regulations intended to safeguard the imperiled North Atlantic right whale, which comprises less than 400 individuals globally. The proposed changes, described as a ‘deregulatory-focused action’, aim to minimize regulatory constraints and enhance economic viability, raising alarms among environmental advocates.
This shift comes on the heels of a tragic incident involving a young right whale, recently confirmed dead off the coast of Virginia, prompting critics to call for stronger protective measures rather than the proposed loosening of regulations. Jane Davenport, a senior attorney with Defenders of Wildlife, highlighted the dire situation, citing the urgent need to bolster protections for these creatures during a critical period for their survival.
North Atlantic right whales, facing threats from vessel impacts and fishing gear entanglements, annually migrate between calving habitats in Florida and Georgia to feeding grounds in New England and Canada. Historically resilient, their population has dwindled drastically since the whaling era, necessitating federal protection for decades.
Despite plans by the Biden administration to reinforce speed restrictions for vessels along the East Coast, these proposals were withdrawn in the final days of its term due to an overwhelming number of public comments. Opponents of the vessel speed regulations, including various shipping enterprises, argue for technological solutions over speed limitations, branding existing speed laws as outdated.
As NOAA prepares to outline its upcoming changes, the fate of the North Atlantic right whale remains uncertain, with advocates pushing for more substantial conservation efforts to prevent further loss of this critically endangered species.
This shift comes on the heels of a tragic incident involving a young right whale, recently confirmed dead off the coast of Virginia, prompting critics to call for stronger protective measures rather than the proposed loosening of regulations. Jane Davenport, a senior attorney with Defenders of Wildlife, highlighted the dire situation, citing the urgent need to bolster protections for these creatures during a critical period for their survival.
North Atlantic right whales, facing threats from vessel impacts and fishing gear entanglements, annually migrate between calving habitats in Florida and Georgia to feeding grounds in New England and Canada. Historically resilient, their population has dwindled drastically since the whaling era, necessitating federal protection for decades.
Despite plans by the Biden administration to reinforce speed restrictions for vessels along the East Coast, these proposals were withdrawn in the final days of its term due to an overwhelming number of public comments. Opponents of the vessel speed regulations, including various shipping enterprises, argue for technological solutions over speed limitations, branding existing speed laws as outdated.
As NOAA prepares to outline its upcoming changes, the fate of the North Atlantic right whale remains uncertain, with advocates pushing for more substantial conservation efforts to prevent further loss of this critically endangered species.
