A colorful bobbing buoy is an iconic part of New England’s visual identity, a symbol of fresh-caught seafood and days spent by the water. But all those buoys can pose a danger to marine life. The thick vertical lines that connect buoys to lobster traps on the seafloor can entangle whales, causing grievous injuries and… Continue reading The Truth about Ropeless Fishing Gear
“Since 2017, at least 95 critically endangered right whales have been killed or injured by preventable human causes. Yet nothing has been done to reduce deadly vessel strikes. Right whales have been on this planet for millions of years and we are at risk of losing this entire species because of bureaucratic red tape. That cannot be allowed to continue.”
New England’s fishery managers have adopted a new plan to help the Gulf of Maine cod population bounce back.
Shannon Laun oversees CLF’s newly opened Connecticut office, making headway on the state’s biggest environmental challenges.
Removing four obsolete dams on the Kennebec River is an urgent next step that will improve the health of the Gulf of Maine, enhance riverfront communities, and bring back millions of sea-run fish, including endangered Atlantic salmon.
“The Atlantic cod population is struggling, and this vote is finally a step in the right direction,” said Allison Lorenc, Senior Policy Analyst at CLF. “After two failed attempts, this new plan will reduce fishing pressure to help cod recover while supporting fishing communities. Our hope is that this is the first of many decisions that will set cod on a path to a healthy population.”
“A newborn calf spends most of the first few months of its life on the surface with its mother,” said Erica Fuller, senior attorney at Conservation Law Foundation. “Given that these whales are tough to see under the best of circumstances, slowing boats down is the only way to prevent collisions like those that have killed whales, injured people, and caused major vessel damage in the past.”
“This downward spiral must be stopped,” said Erica Fuller, Senior Attorney at CLF. “It’s time to put meaningful protections in place so whales are no longer needlessly killed by boats and fishing gear. The federal government needs to step up and do what’s right. Critically endangered right whales can recover, we just need to give them a chance.”
In 2022, a one-month-old right whale calf died when hit by a sportfishing boat off the coast of Florida. The calf’s mom, named “Infinity,” was also struck and is believed to have perished. The strike forced the captain to seek out a landing to get his passengers to safety – managing to get his boat onto… Continue reading Take Action: Tell NOAA You Support New Rules to Protect Right Whales
Why is our ocean overheating? The main is that it is working overtime to protect us. An overheating ocean spells bad news for marine life and humans. But we can help. Here’s ho
