It’s time to save the whales

I’m Rob Moir, the President and Executive Director of Ocean River Institute, here with a bold and ambitious new campaign: to create a national marine sanctuary and save the North Atlantic Right Whale.

The right whale is on the verge of extinction.

We estimate there are only 356 total right whales and 50-70 breeding females left on the planet. Their habitat almost solely surrounds the New England area between Massachusetts and Rhode Island – consisting of peaceful waters and some of the busiest ports on the eastern seaboard.

Like other whales, right whales are extremely susceptible to ship collisions, fishing and trapping line entanglements, and degradation of their natural habitat. And all three of these are creating a perfect storm for the future of this great creature.

That’s why Friends of the North Atlantic Right Whale National Marine Sanctuary is calling on the NOAA to create a new sanctuary that builds on the successes of the past, while doing what truly needs to be done to bring the right whale back from the brink.

We’ll need every one of you to make that happen, and I won't sugarcoat it: it will take a long time to reach our goal. But there is great strength in numbers, and with your help, we will do everything we can to make life a little bit easier for the North Atlantic Right Whale!

You know that government agencies tend to work best when they feel public pressure, so please sign our petition today, and let’s move forward to save the right whale!

I’ve spent my career working in conservation, science education, and environmental resource management. Hard work is rewarded by using the collective power of concerned folks like you to bring animals back from critically endangered to thriving.

Thank you for joining me on this new journey,

Rob