WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bill Keating cosponsored the Scientific Assistance for Very Endangered (SAVE) Right Whales Act on Thursday.
The legislation is sponsored by fellow Massachusetts Congressmen Seth Moulton (MA-06) and John Rutherford (FL-04). The other original cosponsors are Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Rep. Bill Posey (FL-08).
According to the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium, the North Atlantic right whale is one of the rarest whales in the world.
Today, only about 425 North Atlantic Right Whales remain. The SAVE Right Whales Act of 2019 would create government grants that states, non-profits, and members of the fishing and marine shipping industries can use to fund research and efforts that restore the North Atlantic right whale population.
“Protecting the right whale is one of the most important marine conservation objectives that faces us today,” Keating said.
“This bill will help to mobilize our resources to ensure that these animals exist for our children and grandchildren. I look forward to working with my Canadian colleagues to guarantee that the United States and Canada both hold up their individual responsibilities towards right whale conservation.”
In addition to the grants, the bill would fund government research to track plankton, the whales’ main source of food. According to Defenders of Wildlife, a 70-ton right whale eats about 2,600 pounds of zooplankton per day during peak feeding season. Researchers want to learn more about how human actions affect zooplankton, which in turn affects the health and migration patterns of the whales.
The reintroduction of the bill comes in the middle of right whale calving season. Scientists in Florida and Georgia, have spotted seven right whale calves so far this year. This news comes after last year, when no calves were spotted and an estimated 17 adult right whales died.
According to Defenders of Wildlife, right whales only give birth every four years, and they are not able to reproduce until age eight. So, a single death among the whales able to reproduce threatens the entire species.
The House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing examining threats to the North Atlantic right whales Thursday morning.
In addition to bipartisan support in Congress, the SAVE Right Whales Act has support from scientists, conservationists, and fishermen from across the country.
“We humans have nearly killed every right whale in existence through our direct and indirect actions over the past two centuries.” said Moulton.
“Now we have a choice: we can be the generation that brings the right whale back, or the generation that allows their extinction. Let’s not miss this unique moment. Passing the SAVE Right Whales Act is the first of many steps that Congress should take to help restore the right whale population.”
The following organizations have endorsed the SAVE Right Whales Act:
Animal Welfare Institute
Born Free USA
Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance
Center for Biological Diversity
Cetacean Society International
Conservation Law Foundation
Defenders of Wildlife
Earth Law Center
Earthjustice
Endangered Species Coalition
Environment America
Friends of the Earth
Humane Society Legislative Fund
International Fund for Animal Welfare
International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute
Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket
Natural Resources Defense Council
NY4WHALES
Ocean Conservation Research
Oceana
Sanctuary Education Advisory Specialists SEAS LLC
Save Animals Facing Extinction
Save the Manatee
SeaWorld Parks
Seven Circles Foundation
Sierra Club
The Humane Society of the United States
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Women Working for Oceans
World Wildlife Fund
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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