Happy Earth Day Eve! I hope you love this planet—and its oceans—as much as I do.
To save North Atlantic right whales, we HAVE to slow down ships
Ships can’t stop on a dime. Large tanker, cargo, and cruise ships often take up to 30 minutes to come to a complete halt, traveling several miles as they slow down.
Whales are also relatively large and slow-moving, and they can’t instantly move out of the way or submerge themselves if they are hanging out near the surface when a ship is cutting through the area.
Fast ships spell disaster for whales. And, for the sake of North Atlantic right whales, that’s exactly why we need to protect the 2008 Vessel Speed Rule, which is under attack by the Trump administration.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare highlights the necessity of this rule:
“The 2008 North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule (VSR) is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce lethal vessel strikes along the US East Coast. This rule requires vessels 65 feet and longer to comply with a 10-knot speed limit in designated Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs) when right whales are known to be present. The VSR also establishes temporary and voluntary slow down zones in Dynamic Management Areas (DMAs) triggered by real time or near-real time detections of at least three right whales.”
Ship strikes are a leading cause of death for whales. Global estimates suggest that 20,000 whales are killed after being struck by a vessel every year. Over the past couple of years, this issue has gained international attention due to an extremely visible, tragic whale death. Sweet Girl, a young humpback, was hit by a ship in 2024, which ripped her jaw off and left her to suffer an agonizing death. Just days before her death, a photographer took an incredible underwater photo of Sweet Girl’s eye that has since gone viral.
Large, slower whales are the ones that are most at risk. Whales like humpbacks, blues, grays, and yes, North Atlantic right whales. That’s why managing vessel speed is so important.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that the VSR has reduced North Atlantic right whale mortality by 90 percent. That is a critical statistic for a species estimated to have fewer than 400 individuals remaining. Every reduction in mortality is a chance for the species to recover. Even with a reduction in speed, ship strikes can still happen, with NOAA estimating that 27 of these whales have been killed or injured by a vessel strike since 2017. How many more ship strikes will happen if the VSR is eliminated?
You can learn how to submit a federal comment in support of the VSR here (email me if you have questions; federal comments sound scary, but they’re very easy), or learn more about the issue here or here.
DATA POINT
Delegates to the March 2026 meeting of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals voted to adopt new protections for 40 species, including 33 species of marine animals. Protected animals include 26 seabirds, three shorebirds, and four shark species. Cheers for more animal protection! Loud boos for the human action that creates the need for protection in the first place! Read more about the protections here.
CULTURE WAVE
ICYMI
SWIMMING ACROSS YOUR SCREEN
Signing off on this week’s marine news. See you soon with a new wave of ocean updates!
Kelvey 🌊🦈
P.S. You can send news tips, story ideas, hate mail, and photos of cute ocean creatures to thesaltwaterchronicles@gmail.com.
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