Comment from Captain Paul Watson Foundation
Captain Paul Watson FoundationSupportIndividual
Summary: An individual commenter expresses deep concern over the critically endangered status of Rice's whales and the threats they face from industrial activities. They urge NOAA to prioritize and implement strong, enforceable protections to prevent the species from going extinct.
Rice’s whales are critically endangered, with only approximately 50 individuals remaining in the Gulf of Mexico according to NOAA estimates. They are one of the most endangered whale species in the world and face serious threats from vessel strikes, oil and gas activity, underwater noise, and habitat disturbance. Losing even a single whale can have devastating consequences for a population this small. If we fail to act now, we risk pushing this species toward extinction and extinction is forever. I urge NOAA to prioritize strong, enforceable protections for Rice’s whales and their habitat before it is too late.