For Immediate Release
Washington, DC

Yesterday, Maine Governor Janet T. Mills sent a letter announcing she will not accept federal guidelines for reducing risk to the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale.  

Jane Davenport, senior attorney at Defenders of Wildlife issued the following statement: 

“On the campaign trail, Governor Mills portrayed herself as a champion of the environment, but sadly, it seems she’s only concerned about issues outside Maine’s borders. Her decision to politicize and unilaterally abandon a science-based, stakeholder regulatory process ensures that endangered North Atlantic right whales will continue getting tangled up in Maine fishing gear and suffering slow, painful deaths. We urge Governor Mills to reconsider her decision to play an active role in the right whale’s extinction.”

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

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