With only 300 individuals thought to remain of the entire population,
North Atlantic right whales are one of the world's most critically
endangered species. Stringent protection of their three critical habitats
in the U.S. has been ongoing and is crucial to their survival.
However, on June 10th, the headless carcass of a right whale calf was
discovered floating in waters just adjacent to one of these critical
habitats, off Cape Cod, MA. Subsequently, it was discovered that the U.S.
Navy has been conducting live fire bombing exercises just outside of this
critical habitat.
According to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), federal agencies are
required to consult with one another when they are engaging in activities
that may adversely affect endangered species. The Navy's decision to
conduct bombing exercises so near to right whales' critical habitat
indicates a violation of this requirement and is a dire threat to the
survival of the entire species.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Contact your two U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative and ask them to
insist that the U.S. Navy stop bombing near the right whales' critical
habitat and immediately consult with the NMFS on the areas least likely to
risk the lives of whales, in accordance with the federal Endangered
Species Act.
All federal legislators can be reached by calling the Capitol switchboard
at 202-224-3121. You can look up the names of your federal legislators at
www.vote-smart.org.
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