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right whale calf
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Announces First Step in Rolling Back Rule Protecting Whales

The Trump administration today took the first official step in rolling back a 2008 regulation vital to protecting critically endangered North Atlantic right whales from
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Two North Atlantic Right Whales
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Raises Alarm Over Administration’s Proposal to Amend Rule Protecting North Atlantic Right Whales From Deadly Vessel Strikes

Defenders of Wildlife is devastated to learn that a three-year-old female North Atlantic right whale was found dead off Virginia on February 10, 2026. This
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right whale
Orlando, Fla.

Court Urged to Uphold Ship Strike Protections for North Atlantic Right Whales

Conservation groups today filed a friend of the court brief expressing support for a federal vessel speed limit rule to protect critically endangered North Atlantic

More North Atlantic Right Whale Press Releases

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sea lion, alaska
Washington, D.C.

House Subcommittee Considers Bills to Reverse Course on Offshore Protections

The House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources is taking up legislation today that would prioritize oil and gas production over
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Andre Johnson / iStock Photo
Washington, DC

Defenders Endorses Bills to Secure a Future Against Offshore Drilling

Defenders of Wildlife today endorsed a suite of bills introduced in Congress to safeguard U.S. coastal waters against the threat of offshore oil and gas
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NARW
Washington, DC

Intervention Sought to Protect Endangered Right Whales from Deadly Vessel Strikes

Conservation groups have filed a motion to intervene as defendants on behalf of NOAA Fisheries in a case challenging the agency’s 2008 vessel speed rule
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2023.01.05- Right Whale Swimming with Calf-FWC-CC BY NC ND 2.0
Boston, MA

First Circuit Decision Reinstates Rule Protecting Right Whales

Conservation groups applaud a First Circuit Court of Appeals decision reinstating a 2024 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) rule that protects critically endangered North Atlantic
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2008.02.25 - North Atlantic Right Whale with Calf - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Research Permit # 775-1875
Washington, DC

Biden Admin Inaction Keeps Critically Endangered Whales on Road to Extinction

Conservation groups expressed anger and frustration at today’s announcement by NOAA Fisheries to withdraw a proposed rule expanding protections for North Atlantic right whales from
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268