Betreff: Tell Congress to protect the right whale
Von: "Fred O'Regan, International Fund for Animal Welfare"
Datum: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 09:29:03 -0800

The “Right” Whale to Kill

The right whale's valuable oil, slow swimming speed, and high blubber content which makes it float when dead, made this species the "right" whale to kill for whalers.

It was the first large whale to be hunted on a systematic, commercial basis, as early as the 11th century. By 1900, right whales were considered rare.

  • The North Atlantic right whale is one of the rarest mammals in the world.
  • Despite worldwide protection since 1935, the population is not recovering.
  • Approximately half of all known right whale deaths are attributable to human impacts.

Tell Congress to Save the Right Whale


It's a sad fact: there are less than 350 remaining North Atlantic right whales left in the world today.

 

Known for their highly social and playful nature, right whales often wave flippers above the surface, breach and form active social groups, stroking, splashing and rolling over each other.

 

It's a vision of natural wonder and beauty we may never see again if something isn't done right now to make sure no more right whales die from human causes.

 

The loss of just one more of these innocent creatures would be a devastating blow to the chances of survival.

 

It's not too late to save the right whale from the brink of extinction, but a legitimate recovery plan is needed.

 

IFAW is working to save the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale with groundbreaking programs to replace dangerous fishing gear with whale-friendly line, sophisticated projects to protect whales in shipping lanes and vital education programs.

 

But we need your help.

 

Since the North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) Recovery Plan was proposed in 1991 by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the right whale has continued to suffer and die from between 1 and 3 ship strikes per year as well as entanglements (nearly 12 reported cases since 2002).

 

Save the Right whale from the brink of extinction.

Our vital efforts to save the right whale will only be successful if NMFS adopts and enforces the recovery plan, yet the current draft revision of the plan offers very little detail explaining how NMFS will protect the right whale from these threats.

 

Please take a quick moment to send a letter to Congress asking for a stronger recovery plan.  Your support is crucial to letting Congress know that we must not allow this majestic creature to disappear from our oceans.

 

And once you've let your voice be heard, please forward this email to other concerned animal lovers. Every letter makes a difference.

 

Thanks for all you do,

Fred O'Regan

President and CEO