The Humane Society of the United States hailed a decision by the National Marine Fisheries Service to revise critical habitat for North Atlantic right whales, an endangered species that clings to survival with fewer than 400 individuals remaining. The action comes in response to a federal lawsuit filed earlier this year by The HSUS, Defenders of Wildlife, The Center for Biological Diversity, and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
The lawsuit challenged the agency’s failure to respond to a petition filed by the groups in August 2009. In that petition, the organizations sought to expand current critical habitat protections because currently designated areas located off the coast of New England and the Georgia/Florida border are inadequate to protect key feeding and birthing areas and reduce the risk of the whales being struck by ships and exposed to other dangers.
“We are delighted the administration is moving to protect critical habitat for right whales without further delay,” said Jonathan Lovvorn, vice president and chief counsel for animal protection litigation at The HSUS. “This is a crucial step forward on the path to recovery for one of the world’s most endangered animals.”
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