Endangered baleen whale, migratory, vulnerable to ship strikes and fishing gear
Environmental groups warn that delaying protections risks the survival of North Atlantic right whales, of which about 380 remain. The House Natural Resources Committee has voted to extend the moratorium on new right whale rules to 2035, with a full congressional vote expected soon. Proponents cite data-gathering needs while opponents warn the fishing industry could bear the economic burden. The debate follows a pause in regulations set to last until 2028.
The New Bedford Whaling Museum has embraced a negative Google review, releasing merchandise that features the line and a whale skeleton. The design has attracted national attention after a CBS Evening News segment, driving a surge in online orders and restocking demands.
New England plaintiffs have sued the Monterey Bay Aquarium over its Seafood Watch red list for lobster. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is evaluating whether the defamation claim may proceed, with judges debating First Amendment implications.