Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
North Atlantic right whales don’t have nine years to wait.
With approximately 380 individuals and only 70 reproductive-age females left on the planet, these critically- endangered whales are already on the brink. However, the U.S. House just passed legislation that would delay federal protections and conservation management strategies for North Atlantic right whales until 2035.
“We don’t have to choose between protecting a species and continuing to fish for lobster and crabs in New England. We have the technology to do both,” says WHOI Scientist Emeritus Michael Moore.
“The path forward is innovation and investment, not delay. For example, on-demand gear has been identified as a promising technology for reducing the risk of deadly entanglements while allowing fishers to continue working.”
👉Learn more about on-demand gear and other solutions that protect wildlife—and fishers: go.whoi.edu/narw
North Atlantic right whales don’t have nine years to wait.
With approximately 380 individuals and only 70 reproductive-age females left on the planet, these critically- endangered whales are already on the brink. However, the U.S. House just passed legislation that would delay federal protections and conservation management strategies for North Atlantic right whales until 2035.
“We don’t have to choose between protecting a species and continuing to fish for lobster and crabs in New England. We have the technology to do both,” says WHOI Scientist Emeritus Michael Moore.
“The path forward is innovation and investment, not delay. For example, on-demand gear has been identified as a promising technology for reducing the risk of deadly entanglements while allowing fishers to continue working.”
👉Learn more about on-demand gear and other solutions that protect wildlife—and fishers: go.whoi.edu/narw
