White House Backs Plan to Delay New Right Whale Protections Until 2035
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The White House has expressed strong support for a congressional proposal to delay new federal protections for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale until 2035. The plan, from Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, aims to allow time to develop regulations less burdensome to the fishing industry. The government has already paused new rules for the whales until 2028.
Facts First
- The White House 'strongly supports' a plan to delay new federal protections for North Atlantic right whales until 2035.
- The proposal from Rep. Jared Golden seeks to allow time to craft regulations less burdensome to the fishing industry.
- New federal rules for right whales are already paused until 2028.
- North Atlantic right whales are critically endangered, with only about 380 remaining.
- The whales face threats from entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes.
What Happened
The White House released a memo stating it 'strongly supports' a proposal from U.S. Rep. Jared Golden to push back new federal protections for North Atlantic right whales to 2035. The stated purpose of the plan is to allow time to craft regulations that are less burdensome to the fishing industry. The government has already paused new federal rules regarding right whales until 2028.
Why this Matters to You
This decision could affect the pace of conservation efforts for a species on the brink of extinction, which may influence the health of ocean ecosystems. For communities reliant on fishing, the delay could provide a longer runway to adapt to future regulations, potentially easing economic pressures. The outcome of this policy debate may also signal how the government balances environmental protection with industry concerns, a dynamic that could shape other regulations.
What's Next
The proposal must still pass Congress. The White House memo stated that President Donald Trump's senior advisors would recommend he sign the proposal into law if it does. If enacted, the delay until 2035 would set a new timeline for developing protections aimed at reducing whale deaths from fishing gear and ship strikes.