The U.S. government is failing to protect the few remaining North Atlantic right whales, who are at dire risk of extinction. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) released a report last year describing an unusual mortality event (UME) of the species. So far, no steps have been taken to help them. But three nonprofit groups dedicated to wildlife are fighting for the whales, suing the Trump administration for their inaction.
An unusual mortality event (UME) is defined by the unexpected die off of marine mammals. This is a big deal for the North Atlantic right whale. Once numbering in the thousands, the whales were hunted to near extinction in the Northern Atlantic by the late 1800s. In an amazing feat of survival, the species has persisted until today, totaling to around just 400 individuals.

North Atlantic right whale entangled in fishing gear
What’s causing them to die? There are a lot of factors in play, the biggest threat being “chronic entanglement.” Right whales swim towards the surface of the ocean water, putting them at risk of becoming entangled with fishing line and gear as well as exposure to boat strikes. Lobster traps that are strung together in a line are the worst culprits. Whales can get infections, lose limbs, and even drown because of them. (Alternative traps without line exist, so these deaths are needless.) Noise from boat motors interferes with finding food and communicating socially. Adding even more urgency to the problem, no calves have been spotted this year, a first since scientists began monitoring the whales.
Deaths of the whales in Canadian waters prompted almost immediate action. In response, the Canadian government ordered boats to slow down to 10 knots when whales are in the area. A simple and effective action that the U.S. has shown no signs of repeating.
The lawsuit was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Humane Society. According to the suit, the Department of Commerce, under which lies NOAA, has failed in their obligations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Specifically targeting the North Atlantic lobster fishery, the suit could bring about specific action to benefit the whales. But instead of simply taking this action on their own, the Department of Commerce will “defend against [the suit] vigorously.”
Sadly, it’s not just the right whales that are dying. If you Google “unusual mortality event whales,” results will also come up from NOAA for humpbacks, fins, and minkes, all within the last few years.
Seven out of the 13 great whale species are endangered. To give these creatures a chance will take a combined effort of conservation groups, the fishing and shipping industries, and U.S. and Canadian governments. It shouldn’t take a lawsuit to get the government to take action.

About time! Only humans can protect these whales! And the Trump administration has consistently taken its time to act! Hope he pays A LOT!
Unacceptable
TRUMP & ADMINISTRATION DOESN’T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING, ANYTHING OTHER THAN SELF-PRESERVATION & FILLING THEIR POCKETS WITH MONEY.
THEY ARE A TOTAL DISGRACE & EMBARRASSMENT.
DOES ANYONE EXPECT THEM TO DO RIGHT WITHOUT A COURT BATTLE???
THEY ARE DRAGGING OUR COUNTRY THROUGH THE GUTTER
About time that Trump is getting backlash for his anti-everything agenda. We need to be VERY concerned about what this country does in policy-making to SAVE our world, not destroy it! We need to protect so many creatures!
??????. ????????
Something needs to be done and NOW.
Alice it doesn’t matter if is Trump or Obama or Clinton. We have to do something now and in the future for the whales. This time it is Trump who is not helping so we have to sue. Next time who ever is in presidence. Do not involve reps or dems in nature issues. Speak for the whales they don’t care about politics.
If you’ve ever seen the yearly dolphin slaughter on video, you know the Japanese are barbaric people when it comes to all marine life. They’re still hunting and killing whales for no good reason if there ever was a good reason.
Fact is forget what has non been done in the past concentrate on what can be DONE NOW. lose our marine diversity and we lose the planet.
ALL fishermen must rid the oceans of long lines!They kill ALL whales, dolphins, porpoises,and endangered turtles!
Save the whales ! Love you whales.
I am not a fan of the Trump administration but I do agree that this has been going on far longer than they have been in charge. Japanese fisherman regularly disregard international fishing laws. ?
I say that the fisherman need to cut the lines between their lobster cages. ???
I’m impressed Barbara…while I was busy typing you were reading my mind..common sense…not so common anymore
How many years has your organization been in existence, how many times have whales been the victims of fishing lines ,nets etc.? I agree these actions are destructive to sealife. Is this the first administration to be sued ? Clinton perhaps ? George Bush maybe? How about Obama…no never not him. Why 24 years… no suits maybe ? Trump 1 yr.and the planet is falling apart and were in a sad state of affairs
REALLY ????
Japan has never stopped whaling even with knowing that very few of their population even eats whale meat. They are still using the old mantra of killing for science which is BS. Minke whales seem to be the whales that Japan usually kills in the southern seas. They stopped for a while but slowly started up again. Bev, President Trump was not in office when when all of this has been going on Pres. Obama was in office except for this year all of this has been going on for years none of the three past administrations ever bothered to do anything about protecting these whales AT ALL.
This country is sinking fast. They have no regard for what is right. A very sad state of affairs.
The Galarneau family is appalled at the disregard of the sea life that inhabits the seas and ocean’s. The USA’s government has no concern. We are speaking on behalf of the whales and marine life. STOP THE ATROCITIES AGAINST ANIMALS, MAMMALS & THE OCEANS AS A WHOLE.
WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HEARTFELT ATTENTION.
DEBRA GALARNEAU
About time someone sued for what the Trump administration is doing to our planet!!