Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Watching Whale Rights

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has filed an environmental impact statement in an attempt to facilitate the reduction of occurrences of ships striking the endangered species of right whales in the North Atlantic Ocean.



Let's start with the most significant piece of information: there are about 300 right whales left in the world.

The major east coast shipping lanes cross the migration route of the whales (a slow moving species) and a few times a year, ships collide with the whales, killing them.

NOAA is requesting the implementation of a law that would require ships traveling within 20 nautical miles of the coast, in the specific areas of natural habitat for the right whales, to reduce their speed to 10 knots.

Think school zone.

Slow down to protect those who are naive to the possibility of danger.

This will have a financial impact on the ships; it will increase their cost due to time constraints. This is what we call an opportunity cost, in economics. There are sacrifices to be made, and this is one that absolutely should be made. It is the noble endeavor to save and protect a species that has no knowledge of the threat of it's demise.





We are duty bound and morally obligated to do it.

NOAA is accepting comments about this possible change until September 29th, 2008.
If you feel at all compelled to make your voice heard, I urge you to contribute your opinion. Make your thoughts and concerns known to those who can make a difference.

NOAA's environmental impact statement

NOAA's website

To email your comments: shipstrike.EIS@noaa.gov Tell them what you think!

CNN's coverage of this story

Thanks to NOAA for the whale images, except the first image which is AP.

13 comments:

  1. Sameera AnsariAugust 26, 2008 at 11:23 AM

    Such a sad plight!The first pic was so heart wrenching.

    Money matters most to people than fellow beings.I doubt such souls would bother to slow down for the sake of these endangered species,but still the notion is worth an effort.

    So nice of you to post about it!

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  2. SuburbiaAugust 26, 2008 at 1:51 PM

    Yes, the image of a school crossing brings it home. Commerce never cares though.
    I will e-mail

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  3. Wanderlust ScarlettAugust 26, 2008 at 3:35 PM

    Hello Sameera,

    Isn't that first one horrible?
    It is worth the effort, and maybe, if it works... it will make a difference.

    Change is the only constant thing in our world...


    Suburbia!

    I'm so glad you are emailing! Thank you!
    I know we can get it to go through, if enough people try.


    Scarlett & Viaggiatore

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  4. relAugust 27, 2008 at 3:39 AM

    Scarlett,
    Worthy causes are what breeds hope in one's soul. Thanks for helping me keep the cynics breath at bay.
    rel

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  5. Wanderlust ScarlettAugust 27, 2008 at 11:28 AM

    *Grin*
    Rel, I don't think you let the cynics get to you too often at all. You're far to optimistic to do that. You have a wonderful view of the world; it's evident in your words and images all the time.
    ;o)
    Upholding the rights of those who cannot do so for themselves is always a worthy cause.


    Scarlett & Viaggiatore

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  6. gbchangeAugust 27, 2008 at 5:56 PM

    Thanks for the info. I'm off to email NOAA!

    Be Well...

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  7. Wanderlust ScarlettAugust 27, 2008 at 6:30 PM

    Gayle,

    That's wonderful! Thank you so much!


    Scarlett & Viaggiatore

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  8. somepinkflowersAugust 28, 2008 at 4:25 PM

    hurray!! to you
    for being so aware
    and
    then to share.

    :-)

    have you knowledge of how
    the tropical storms and hurricanes
    also
    interfere with sea life?

    i learned about this lately
    when tropical storm Fay
    hovered over our heads
    here in florida for almost a week.

    nature can be so cruel
    to herself sometimes.
    even that makes me sad
    without thinking
    about mankind's bad manners...

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  9. heartinsanfranciscoAugust 28, 2008 at 6:49 PM

    I'm so glad you posted this!

    I will definitely write to NOAA now and implore them to protect these magnificent creatures. It is indeed as unthinkable and obscene as motorists refusing to slow down at school crossings.

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  10. Wanderlust ScarlettAugust 28, 2008 at 10:52 PM

    Dear SomePinkFlowers,

    I am sorry to say, I do not know what tropical storms do to marine life... isn't it ironic that nature would injure herself that way?

    I will research it though, now that you've mentioned it to me, and sparked my interest!


    Hello Dear Hearts!

    GOOD! I am so very glad that you are writing to them! I know you'll be able to come up with a powerful plea for them.
    Go team, GO!


    Scarlett & Viaggiatore

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  11. UnknownAugust 30, 2008 at 7:44 AM

    This is an excellent initiative and I'm off to check out the links now.

    Every late winter/spring the southern right whales to South Africa's southern coast to mate and calve - it is awesome. They are such magnificent creatures and every one of them whether in northern or southern oceans deserves protection.

    Thanks for sharing this, Scarlett.

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  12. heartinsanfranciscoAugust 31, 2008 at 11:34 AM

    The thought of a world without whales is unutterably sad. Here is what I wrote:

    Gentlemen:

    It is imperative that the endangered Right Whale species in the North Atlantic Ocean, of which very few remain, be saved.

    I understand that this can be accomplished by requiring ships to cut their traveling speed to 10 knots while crossing the migration routes of these magnificent animals. The whales are now being killed by ships going too fast to avoid collisions.

    Whales have been a most important part of the natural world for thousands of years. We have a responsibility to protect them which goes far beyond the financial gain of a few shipping lines. It would be obscene to let them become extinct over such greed.

    Please do everything possible to protect them and ensure that they continue to populate the ocean in years to come.

    Thank you.

    Sincerely,

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  13. Wanderlust ScarlettSeptember 2, 2008 at 1:05 PM

    Vanilla,

    I agree, absolutely.
    We are obligated by moral duty to protect them.
    Hopefully, this initiative will pass.



    Hearts,

    That is a powerful statement, I hope it carries all the weight that you put into it, straight to the top; to those who will make the decisions regarding this.

    Thank you, lady.


    Scarlett & Viaggiatore

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