White House block whale protection
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The North Atlantic right whale is considered one of the most endangered species on Earth, with a population estimated at about 300 animals but according to documents obtained by the Union of Concerned Scientists, White House officials for more than a year have blocked a rule aimed at protecting these marine mammals.
In February 2007, NOAA issued a final rule aimed at slowing ships traversing some East Coast waters to 10 knots or less during parts of the year to protect the whales, but the White House has blocked the rule from taking effect. |
Apparently the White House has repeatedly questioned and delayed action on the regulation that could reduce the number of whales that are killed when run over by commercial ships. They questioned scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who had concluded that "(1) there is a direct relationship between speed and death/serious injury, and (2) at vessel speeds at or below 10 knots the probability of death/serious injury is greatly reduced."
The loss of just one more pregn ant female could doom the species but some shipping companies have opposed the NOAA proposal, saying slowing their vessels will cost the industry money. Since NOAA initially proposed the regulation, at least three right whales have died from ship strikes and two have been wounded by propellers.
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