Defenders' Experts
North Atlantic Right Whale
The right whale was
given its unfortunate name by whalers who considered them the "right" whales to
hunt due to their slow pace and the buoyancy of their carcasses in the
ocean. Humans today remain the
biggest threat to right whales, killing them through ship collisions,
entanglement in fish gear and habitat degradation. Listed as "endangered" since 1973, the
only viable population is off the coast of Canada and the
U.S. with approximately 350 individuals.
Fighting For Your "Rights" in Congress
Urge your Senators to support The Ship Strike Reduction Act of 2008 -- vital legislation to protect struggling right whales.
Management and Policy
National Marine Fisheries Service continues to stall the finalization of rules implementing speed restrictions in right whale habitat. Defenders petitioned and brought suit to press the administration to release and finalize a protective rule and continues to work towards protecting right whale critical habitat. Learn more
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