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Blue whale at surface

Creating a safe haven for whales and dolphins in the Southern Ocean

Emma Eastcott Emma is WDC's head of safe seas. She helps ensure whales and dolphins...
Humpback whale © Christopher Swann

Migration Patterns of Humpback Whales

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
We're at COP28 to Save the Whale, Save the World.

We’re at COP28 to save the whale, save the world

Ed Goodall Ed is WDC's head of intergovernmental engagement. He meets with world leaders to...
Gray whales from drone.

We’re taking steps to uncover the mysteries of whales

Vicki James Vicki is WDC's protected areas coordinator, she helps to create safe ocean spaces...

WDC helps secure another victory for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales!

Today, the U.S. District Court D.C issued a finding in favor of right whalesBased on their decision, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the US agency charged with protecting right whales, must acknowledge and thoroughly evaluate the impacts to right whales from the proposed development of an offshore wind farm in right whale habitat. 

Last June, WDC submitted an amicus brief in support of a legal challenge put forward by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, et al. in response to the proposed development.  While we are not opposed to alternative energy, we are concerned, as we point out in our recent report, that its development and operation must not harm whales and dolphins. 

The sizable project in question would involve the operation of 130 Wind Turbines on a 46 square mile section of ocean off Cape Cod.  The construction, operation, and maintenance of the project would also result in increased vessel traffic transiting to and from the project site, in areas where endangered North Atlantic right whales are known to occur.

The National Marine Fisheries Service had initially dismissed the increased sightings of right whales in this area as “visitors” to the habitat and did not demand any specific mitigation actions of the developers to reduce ship strikes. With fewer than 500 North Atlantic right whales remaining, the risk to even one whale, is too significant to ignore. 

WDC is thrilled with the decision of the court, ensuring that the US Endangered Species Act must be adhered to, and honored to be part of this landmark win!!  

As always, thank you for your support which enables us to work on behalf of whales and dolphins around the world.  

 

 

About Regina Asmutis-silvia

Executive director - WDC North America