Target: Rupert Howes, Chief Executive of the Marine Stewardship Council
Goal: Prioritize protecting critically endangered North American right whales over the certification of new lobster fisheries.
North American right whales are on the brink of extinction–and the looming certification of a lobster fishery in the Gulf of Maine poses yet another threat to the survival of this incredible species. Currently, a mere 350 North American right whales exist in the wild today, leaving the population with little chance for future recovery. And, in spite of all this, federal organizations and agencies are choosing to ignore the needs of this critically endangered species in favor of commercial fishing operations.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)–an organization which sets standards for sustainable fishing–wants to re-certify this fishery as sustainable, despite the temporary suspension of its certification in 2020 due to violations to the Endangered Species Act. Lobster fisheries, such as this, pose a deadly entanglement risk for the already rapidly declining North American right whale. If the Gulf of Maine lobster fishery is certified as sustainable, it will further threaten these and other species that become helpless bycatch in commercial nets, pushing them further and further towards extinction. We must act to protect whales before it is too late.
Sign this petition to demand the lobster fishery not be certified. Tell the MSC to stop prioritizing corporate greed over the protection of one of our nation’s most emblematic species.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Chief Executive Howes,
There are currently only 350 North American right whales in the wild today. And, yet, your Council wants to certify a lobster fisher in the Gulf of Maine that would further endanger these–and other–species. The lobster fishery already had its license suspended back in 2020 for violating the Endangered Species Act. The expansive netting and other gear used for catching lobsters is indiscriminate, and a further threat to these already dwindling populations of whales.
We are asking you, Mr. Howes, not to certify this lobster fishery as sustainable. Sustainable operations should not kill critically endangered whales as bycatch.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Georgia Wildlife Resources Division
Preserve the whales and all animals. Food? You must be kidding? Right !!
You would be disgusted at what people would eat!!
Commercial fishermen = ocean rapers!
We have to truly PRODUCE economic value by adding value to a tightly-constrained rate of extraction / harvesting of natural resources, particularly biotic ones. We cannot sustainably extract / harvest an ever-increasing volume of natural resources, just to try to accomdate our own, and probably unsustainable, human population growth, or our own aspiration to an ever-increasing material standard of living. It simply won’t work.
Endangering critically valuable species by certifying unsustainable fisheries as sustainable is insane. We have to truly PRODUCE economic value by adding value to a tightly-constrained rate of extraction / harvesting of natural resources, particularly biotic ones. We cannot sustainably extract / harvest an ever-increasing volume of natural resources, just to try to accomdate our own, and probably unsustainable, human population growth, or our own aspiration to an ever-increasing material standard of living. It simply won’t work.
I sometimes think humans should be the ones to become extinct with all the damage we do in the world and causing the decline of other creatures. Leave the whales in peace.
I don’t sometimes think that – I ALWAYS think that!!!!
We are where we are because of GREED and LACK OF HUMANITY!
It is time to protect all these God given species! NOW! They have every right to life as any MAN!
TURN ALL THE LACK OF EMPATHY AROUND AND PROTECT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO VEGAN and this animal hell will soon end. Vegan is the most ethical LIFESTYLE because it’s totally CRUELTY-FREE. Vegan is healthy, tasty and environmentally friendly.
Delicious vegan options are available in all food-stores!!
I am so disgusted by the greed of commerce and the government bought and paid for by such a capitalist society. The almighty dollar and the quest for more and more money at the expense of all other creatures is a disgrace to all humanity.
ALL WHALES SHOULD BE EATEN BY HUMANS!!! IF THERE HUMANS WHOM DO THEY ARE STUPID, IGNORANT, CRUEL IDIOTS!!!!!
English is not your first language, is it?
Save the whales and it also saves a few lobsters. Cannot believe there are still ignorant people who think their wants (not needs) are more important than anything else on the only planet we have.
Dear Chief Executive Howes,
Until when will all animals be allowed to be slaughtered to satisfy the greed, gluttony and selfishness of human beings?
GO VEGAN — STOP filthying up our WATERS — It’s the HOME of our Animals — our Planet NEEDS our Oceans & its inhabitants — our WHALES get caught up in our GARBAGE, i.e., nets, wires, microscopic plastics) —- who SUFFER greatly & DIE prematurely — GO VEGAN — Get some KNOWLEDGE, RESPECT, COMPASSION, MERCY, SANITY & MORALITY — GO VEGAN