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

The National Ocean Policy Coalition argues that the Rice’s whale should not be considered a distinct species and that its current endangered status may be based on insufficient scientific data. They provide evidence suggesting that the population is larger than previously estimated and that energy-related vessel traffic in the proposed critical habitat is relatively low.

Viking Marine Group, a manufacturer of recreational vessels, supports the status review of the Rice's whale while advocating for the inclusion of technological advancements in conservation management. They argue that modern detection systems (like thermal imaging and AI) provide effective, real-time mitigation of vessel strikes and should be prioritized over broad operational restrictions to balance marine mammal protection with navigational safety and economic activity.

The commenter advocates for maintaining and strengthening protections for the Rice's whale under the Endangered Species Act. They argue that the species faces insurmountable risks from vessel strikes, noise, oil spill effects, and fisheries interactions, and that robust protections are necessary for the species' survival and the health of the Gulf ecosystem.

Aidan Bodeo-Lomicky, writing on behalf of the nonprofit Animal Counsel, urges the NMFS to reaffirm the Rice’s whale's endangered status. The commenter argues that current scientific data shows the species remains critically endangered due to small population size, habitat threats, and industrial noise, and that there is no basis for downlisting or delisting.

Michael Tritico, representing the advocacy group RESTORE, urges NOAA and NMFS to maintain the full protection of the Rice’s Whale under the Endangered Species Act. He argues that the species faces severe threats from ship noise and traffic, and he advocates for stricter measures such as ship speed limits and increased scrutiny of ballast water discharges.

An individual commenter argues that Rice's whales are a unique species that warrants continued and strengthened protections under the Endangered Species Act. They cite scientific data regarding the whales' small population and vulnerability to industrial threats like shipping and oil and gas activities.

The commenter argues that Rice's whales are a unique species that require continued and strengthened protections under the Endangered Species Act due to their critically low population and the threats posed by industrial activities. They emphasize that recent scientific data confirms the species' distinctiveness and justify maintaining robust conservation measures to prevent extinction.

The commenter argues that Rice's whales are a unique, critically endangered species that require continued and strengthened protections under the Endangered Species Act. They emphasize that human activities, such as shipping and offshore energy development, pose significant threats and advocate for precautionary management of these industrial activities.

An individual is urging the agency to maintain and strengthen protections for the Rice's whale under the Endangered Species Act. The commenter argues that the species is unique, critically endangered, and faces significant threats from industrial activities like shipping and oil and gas development.

Christina Degaglia, a private resident, argues that Rice's whales are a unique species that deserve and require continued protections under the Endangered Species Act. She emphasizes that current scientific data supports their status as a distinct species and calls for strengthened protections and precautionary management of industrial activities to prevent their extinction.