Action needed to protect our whales

Key decisions coming up for Massachusetts' ocean wildlife

Environment Massachusetts has been working hard to protect the right whales and other creatures just offshore in Stellwagen Bank, which runs from Cape Ann to Cape Cod.

Already, 5,000 Environment Massachusetts members have called on the federal government to make the area a true sanctuary— with no industrial shipping, bottom- trawling, or other reckless practices.

There are now less than 350 North Atlantic right whales in the world. To protect these whales and other wildlife, Stellwagen Bank was designated a national marine sanctuary in 1992. Unfortunately, reckless industry practices are now threatening the whales and the ecosystem. Ships have struck and killed endangered right whales. Whales are getting caught in discarded fishing gear. Bottom-trawling is destroying the fragile ocean floor that nourishes the entire ecosystem.

New rules governing the bank are due in the coming months.

Drilling threat renewed

Meanwhile, a new threat to Massachusetts’ whales has emerged: the prospect of oil rigs in Georges Bank. At the end of September, Congress failed to renew the 20-plus year moratorium on offshore drilling, and now, the likes of Exxon and Shell are free to make good on their longstanding interest in drilling at Georges Bank—one of the most productive ocean ecosystems and home to humpback whales.

Drilling in Georges Bank would be particularly devastating for the whales and other sea life there: A leak or spill would contaminate the fl oor of the bank and all the food upon which right and humpback whales depend.

We’re working with Rep. Ed Markey to pass a bill that would permanently ban oil drilling in Georges Bank and all marine sanctuaries, including Stellwagen Bank.

We’re confident that we can make a case to Congress that these banks deserve special protection. Already, most of the New England delegation has signed on to the Georges Bank Preservation Act (H.R.7051). If we can keep the public pressure on, we can protect the humpback and right whales before it’s too late.