{
	"type": "rich",
	"version": "1.0",
	"provider_name": "Action Network",
	"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
	
	"html": "<link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/urge-senators-to-defend-north-atlantic-right-whales?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-urge-senators-to-defend-north-atlantic-right-whales' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div>",
	"author_name": "Endangered Species Coalition",
	"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/groups/endangered-species-coalition",
	"title": "Urge Congress to Reject Rep. Lawler’s Attack on North Atlantic Right Whales 🐋",
	"thumbnail_url": "https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/457/016/normal/open-uri20260902-1498422-12u835f",
	"description": "The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered marine mammals on Earth. With fewer than 400 individuals remaining, every whale matters. Now, a dangerous proposal threatens to undermine efforts to save this iconic species. Representative Mike Lawler of New York teamed up with Rep. Jared Golden of Maine to introduce H.R. 9436, legislation that would block the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from developing science-based measures to protect North Atlantic right whales from entanglement in commercial fishing gear until 2035. We&#x27;ve learned the bill will be considered by the House Natural Resources Committee soon, moving this harmful proposal one step closer to becoming law. In 2022, Congress already blocked NOAA from implementing new protections for right whales, delaying action until 2028 to give the fishing industry time to pursue voluntary measures. While many fishermen have worked in good faith to reduce risks to whales, voluntary efforts alone have not been enough. The consequences of delaying action are heartbreaking. In 2024, NOAA Fisheries confirmed the death of a 3-year-old North Atlantic right whale. She was first spotted entangled in commercial fishing gear in August 2022, with rope wrapped tightly around her tail and hundreds of feet of line trailing behind her. For 17 months—more than half her life—she suffered as the rope cut deeper into her growing body, making it increasingly difficult to swim, feed, and survive. When she was found dead near Martha&#x27;s Vineyard, investigators determined that the rope entangling her was traced to Maine trap and pot fisheries. Her story is a powerful reminder that fishing gear entanglement is not an abstract threat. It is one of the leading causes of injury and death for North Atlantic right whales. Entanglement is a problem that can be solved. On-demand fishing gear, also called ropeless gear, creates a safer ocean for whales and allows fishing to continue. This practice is proven to work, but the whales need NOAA’s science-based protections to help speed up its use. Unfortunately, H.R. 9436 would tie the hands of NOAA, the very agency charged with preventing the extinction of this species and make it even harder to address one of the greatest threats to its survival. Please take action today and urge your Representative to oppose Rep. Lawler and Rep. Golden’s bill.",
	"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/letters/urge-senators-to-defend-north-atlantic-right-whales"
}