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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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Right Whale
Washington, DC

Statement on NMFS Letter to Maine Lobstermen’s Association

Today, National Marines Fisheries Service (NMFS) Assistant Administrator Chris Oliver responded to the Maine Lobstermen’s Association’s September 4 letter announcing its withdrawal of support for recommended measures to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale from fishing gear entanglements.
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American Pika
Washington, DC

Defenders Testifying in House Subcommittee Hearing on Climate, Wildlife Impacts

Defenders of Wildlife’s senior policy analyst for climate adaptation, Aimee Delach, will deliver testimony at a legislative hearing before the House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on
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Right Whale
Washington, DC

Statement on North Atlantic Right Whale Death

Yesterday, a dead North Atlantic right whale was discovered four miles south of Fire Island inlet near Long Island, New York.
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Right Whale
Washington, DC

Statement on U.S. Senate Introduction of SAVE Right Whales Act

Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and Tom Carper (D-DE) introduced the Scientific Assistance for Very Endangered (SAVE) Right Whales Act in the U.S. Senate. The bill, a companion to H.R. 1568, would authorize $5 million dollars a year for ten years towards efforts to protect the North Atlantic right whale, one of the world’s most endangered large whale species.
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Right Whale
Washington, DC

Statement on Gov. Janet Mills’ Letter to Abandon Federal Risk Reduction for the Right Whale

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.
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