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With only around 380 North Atlantic right whales left, they are on the brink of extinction. Yet Congress could vote to delay protections for this iconic species, leaving them without crucial safeguards until 2035. Tell your representatives to vote against these dangerous bills!
 

North Atlantic right whales are an iconic species of the northeast United States. They are also one of the most endangered large mammals on Earth, with only around 380 individuals left. Yet lawmakers continue to try to block and delay much-needed protections.

Fishing regulations, including seasonal restrictions, area closures, and the transition to ropeless gear, are crucial to the survival of North Atlantic right whales. Yet these urgently needed protections have already been delayed until 2028. Rep. Mike Lawler has now introduced H.R. 9436, with Rep. Jared Golden as a co-sponsor, to extend that moratorium until 2035. The bill follows Golden's earlier version, H.R. 8509, which sought the same dangerous delay. This is unacceptable. North Atlantic right whales are in crisis now and cannot wait nearly another decade for stronger protections.

Entanglement in fishing gear is one of the leading causes of death for these critically endangered animals. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that 85 percent of North Atlantic right whales have been entangled in fishing gear. Becoming entangled is extremely dangerous for whales and can often be deadly. Gear can cause serious injury to a whale, causing infection and distress, and can impede a whale's ability to swim, feed, and reproduce.

These whales are dangerously close to extinction and simply cannot wait until 2035 to have stronger protections in place.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Decision makers: U.S. representatives

Subject: Vote No on H.R. 9436 and Any Bills Delaying Right Whale Protections

I am writing to urge you to vote no on H.R. 9436 and any legislation that would delay stronger protections for North Atlantic right whales until 2035.

With only around 380 North Atlantic right whales left, this critically endangered population cannot withstand years of additional delay. Entanglement in fishing gear remains one of the greatest threats to their survival, causing painful injuries, infections, exhaustion and death.

Stronger safeguards, including seasonal fishing restrictions, reductions in dangerous vertical lines and wider use of ropeless fishing gear, are urgently needed. These protections have already been postponed once. Extending that delay again would put the interests of the fishing industry ahead of the survival of an entire species.

North Atlantic right whales need decisive action now, not another exemption that leaves them vulnerable for nearly a decade. Please oppose H.R. 8509 and support meaningful protections that give these whales a real chance to recover.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.

Sincerely,

Signed

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