FR Notice Initiation of a Status Review for the Rice’s Whale and Request for Information

Alisha Wadhwa, a Digital Advocacy Intern, submitted a comment on behalf of 1,255 individuals urging the National Marine Fisheries Service to maintain the Rice's whale's status as a critically endangered species. The commenters argue that the whales require continued protection under the Endangered Species Act due to existential threats from oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico.

Alisha Wadhwa, acting as a Digital Advocacy Intern, submits a letter on behalf of over 16,000 individuals urging the National Marine Fisheries Service to maintain the Rice's whale's status as a critically endangered species. The comment argues that the whales face existential threats from oil and gas development and calls for increased conservation protections.

The commenter argues that Rice’s whales require strong and continued protections under the Endangered Species Act due to their critically low population and the threats posed by oil and gas activity. They emphasize that scientific data supports their status as a unique species and advocate for precautionary management of industrial activities to prevent extinction.

The Atlantic Scientific Review Group (AtlSRG) provides new scientific evidence supporting the classification of Rice’s whales as a distinct species. They emphasize the importance of incorporating recent genetic, morphological, and habitat data into the forthcoming status review to ensure accurate management of this vulnerable stock.

Barbara D. Dauerty argues that Rice's whales are a unique species that warrant continued and strengthened protections under the Endangered Species Act. She cites scientific data on their small population, distinct characteristics, and the significant threats posed by industrial activities like shipping and oil and gas development.

The Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) supports the recognition of Rice’s whale as a distinct species based on robust taxonomic and genomic evidence. They argue that the species is critically endangered and urge NOAA to implement immediate protective measures, such as vessel speed regulations, to prevent ship strikes.

The commenter advocates for maintaining and strengthening Endangered Species Act protections for Rice's whales, arguing that they are a unique species with a critically small population. They emphasize the threats posed by industrial activities like shipping and oil and gas development, citing scientific data to support the need for continued conservation.

The commenter is advocating for the protection of Rice's whales and the restoration of the Endangered Species Act in the Gulf of Mexico. They argue that human activities like climate change, boat collisions, and oil drilling are harming the species and call for immediate action to preserve the ecosystem.

L.McKay is advocating for the continued and strengthened protection of Rice's whales under the Endangered Species Act. The commenter argues that current data supports maintaining protections and managing industrial activities to prevent the species from going extinct.

The commenter opposes the potential downlisting of Rice's whales, arguing that the species remains critically endangered due to human activities like shipping and offshore energy development. They advocate for maintaining and strengthening protections under the Endangered Species Act based on scientific data regarding the whales' small population and unique status.