The critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale
Picture credits: NOAA
For entirely too many years, the most Endangered Whale on our planet, the North Atlantic Right Whale, has had to endure endless red tape battles just to survive in their home waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
They have been harassed to “death” by ships of every size and shape, from countless countries, not the least of which are our very own US Navy.
Now, thankfully at last, the Whales have been given a reprieve from death, with this new permanent solution to their life-threatening problem.
As of this past week, there is in place, a permanent rule or law, not subject to the whims of the US or any other Government, a set speed limit in the Atlantic Water Ways, where they travel each year, from the warm tropical waters of the Caribbean, all the way up the Atlantic Coast to the northern most reaches of Canada.
And because of this new rule, wherever that they travel from now on, they will be protected from the number one cause of their deaths, in this century, ship strikes.
All ships over 65 feet must obey these new and permanent speed limits.
The critically Endangered Right Whale, whose numbers range between 300-500 , was nearly wiped off the face of the Earth by whalers in the last century who gave it its unfortunate name because it was just the “right ” size to kill.
The Right Whales annually make the long trek south to give birth in the warm Florida and Caribbean waters and for those who are really lucky , they can frequently be quite easily seen from the shore near the tiny Coastal town of Flagler Beach.
Making the trip there to see them as they pass by, between December and March, is highly recommended, as is an overnight stay in this very friendly town, with a plethora of dining choices and room accommodations.
The eagerly and long-awaited ruling and stories are here:
Compliance Guide For Right Whales
Obama Administration Praised For Slowing Down Ships
Ship Speed Limits To Protect Endangered Atlantic Right Whales Made Permanent
The whales are such magnificent creatures. Will keep Flagler Beach on my list of places to visit!
Absolutely. If you do go, send me a note, will tell you where the best food in town is~
We truly love it there.
Especially early mornings watching the sunrise and eating breakfast on the deck of our favorite place is heavenly~
Will do, thanks!
Reblogged this on Re-Blogged With Love.
Thank you Adam.
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It’s like a Christmas miracle, finally some good news ‼ President Lucifer finally did something nice for the animals !!!
Unlike Bush, President Obama chose to support this rule. Bush wanted to rescind it completely.
Wonderful to hear some good news, thank you for sharing . It is encouraging when governments take the right action.
It was such good news. It has been a long time coming for them.
Very informative post. Hope the endangered one’s grow their numbers! Thank you.
Thank you. With this new rule in place, they may actually just do that!
Reblogged this on "OUR WORLD".
Thank you so much for helping to spread the news!
Glad to hear it! I hope we’ll see fewer beachings because of this and the postponement of airgun blasting. It would be wonderful to see the population grow again instead of always dwindling.
You are on the north end of their journey and we are on the south.
May God be with them as they travel and may they now have safe passage~
Every now and then a reprieve… a bright spot. 🙂 Evidence of a semblance of caring in the Obama administration. Happy here, for the whales. Now if we can just provide similar protections for the Orca in the Pacific…
And for all the creatures in the seas and on the land and in the air~
Our civilization has committed numberless sins. But let us number among the most heinous the indiscriminate killing of whales.
Amen to that!
Happy Birthday, Donna.
Thank you, but how did you know? I don’t tell anyone?