Fishing groups push to postpone protections for endangered right whale to 2035
The North Atlantic right whale numbers only about 370 and has declined over the last 15 years. They have been the subject of proposed federal fishing laws that are backed by conservation groups because the whales are threatened by lethal entanglement in commercial fishing gear.
The federal government is in the midst of a pause on federal right whale rules until 2028. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine and a coalition of fishing organizations said in letters to congressional officials that they want to extend that moratorium out to 2035.
Golden, who played a role in the initial moratorium, said extending the pause would give the government the time it needs to craft regulations that reflect science. He also said it would protect Maine's lifesblood lobster fishing industry, which is one of the fishing sectors that would have to comply with rules intended to protect right whales.
'Maine's lobster fishery has most recently been valued at more than half a billion dollars — and that's just the value of the catch. It also supports tens of thousands of jobs. It is an iconic part of our state's economy, heritage and appeal to visitors,' Golden said in a July 22 letter to a subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee.
The extension of the moratorium was originally proposed by Alaska Republican Nick Begich. It's one of several changes to the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act proposed by Begich, who like Golden represents a state with a large commercial fishing industry.
The changes have drawn condemnation from environmental organizations and praise from commercial fishing groups. A group of fishing organizations including the Maine Lobstermen's Association said in a July 21 letter to the subcommittee that 'heavy regulation comes at a heavy cost.'
Wednesdays
What's next in arts, life and pop culture.
The whales were once numerous off the East Coast, but they were decimated during the era of commercial whaling and have been slow to recover. They are also threatened by collisions with large ships.
The population of the whales fell about 25% from 2010 to 2020.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
2 minutes ago
- Global News
Republicans want to rename Kennedy Center after Donald and Melania Trump
U.S. Republicans want to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts — the Kennedy Center — after President Trump and first lady Melania Trump, but doing so would be illegal, according to several former board members of the performing arts centre. Last week, Republicans passed an amendment that aims to rename the Kennedy Center's second-largest theatre, The Opera House, after Melania Trump as a way to honour her support for the performing arts. The following day, they suggested naming the entire building after the president. But three previous Kennedy Center board members told NBC News that renaming the historic site would contravene the laws under which it was created. They say legislation prohibits any part of the Washington D.C.-based facility from undergoing a name change because it's considered an official memorial to John F. Kennedy, except for the Eisenhower Theater, whose administration approved its construction in 1958, and was honoured with a theatre in its name upon its completion. Story continues below advertisement Former president Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation making the Kennedy Center a memorial to Kennedy in January 1964, two months after he was assassinated, an answer to calls by his family — who also led efforts to build the centre — to dedicate it to him. View image in full screen President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for a showing of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center on June 11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Craig Hudson / Getty Images Neither the Kennedy Center's historical significance nor its legal protections seems to have hindered Republican efforts to rename it. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'First Lady Melania Trump serves as the Honorary Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Kennedy Center … naming a theater after her is an excellent way to recognize her appreciation for the arts,' Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, chair of the subcommittee and sponsor of the funding bill under which the amendment is written, said. Simpson's subcommittee oversees federal funding for capital repairs, operations and maintenance at the Kennedy Center. Story continues below advertisement On July 23, Rep. Bob Onder, R-Mo., introduced the 'Make Entertainment Great Again Act,' which suggests renaming the entire Kennedy Center the 'Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts,' though action has yet to be taken. 'For more than 40 years, President Trump has been a patron of the arts and a staple of the pop-culture landscape. From books and television shows to board games, movies, and more; when it comes to the arts, President Trump's golden touch has captivated and entertained audiences for decades,' Onder said in a press release. Onder went on to praise Trump for his plans to rebalance the arts centre's budget, which were included in the president's One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was signed into law on July 4. 'As Chairman of the Kennedy Center board of trustees, President Trump plans to make serious budget changes to rein in the Center's nearly $72 million debt, driven by past leadership decisions,' Onder said, adding that the Trump administration plans to invest $249.5 million for repairs and restoration along with investments in the operations, maintenance, and security of the building. View image in full screen President Donald Trump looks down from the Presidential Box in the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as he participates in a guided tour and leads a board meeting on March 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images To proceed with a legal name change, Republicans will have to pass new legislation. Story continues below advertisement Currently U.S. code states that, 'after December 2, 1983, no additional memorials or plaques serving as memorials shall be designated or installed in the public areas of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,' meaning the Trump administration cannot currently alter anything within the bounds of the law. 'Legally, they can't just slap her name on it without congressional action,' a spokesperson for Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine, told NBC. 'If Republicans can't pass their budget — which they usually can't — the Melania Trump renaming provision dies,' the spokesperson added. 'The only real wildcard is whether Trump or his allies ignore the law entirely and try to do it unilaterally. But that would have no legal basis — and would almost certainly trigger a court fight.' For legislation to pass, it would have to be approved by the Senate, where it would need Democratic support.
Toronto Sun
2 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Starmer says U.K. will recognize Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire
Published Jul 29, 2025 • < 1 minute read British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacts as he meets with U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 28, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. Photo by Christopher Furlong / Getty Images LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday the U.K. will recognize a Palestinian state in September — unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza and takes steps toward long-term peace. Starmer called ministers together for a rare summertime Cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza. He told them that Britain will recognize a state of Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly, 'unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two state solution.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account MLB Ontario Toronto & GTA Golf Editorial Cartoons
Winnipeg Free Press
2 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Trinidad and Tobago extends state of emergency as threats hatched in prison persist
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Legislators in Trinidad and Tobago have extended a state of emergency after the attorney general said the twin-island nation's prison system has been compromised. He blamed prison officers and even attorneys of helping inmates accused of plotting to kill high-ranking officials. Authorities recently moved high-risk prisoners to military bases as part of a recent crackdown on jailed gang leaders accused of using smuggled cellphones to plot a series of assassinations, robberies and kidnappings with help from criminal associates on the outside. Attorney General John Jeremie revealed to Parliament on Monday that some prison guards could openly be heard warning inmates when specialized police agents showed up to conduct prison raids, and he also accused some attorneys of illegally helping those behind bars. 'The system has been compromised, and it has been serving inmates as a protected criminal command center,' Jeremie said. The latest state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago was extended for three months after authorities warned that the threat of a plot to kill key government officials and attack public institutions still exists. The initial emergency was declared on July 18 and was expected to last 15 days. However, the Caribbean nation's Parliament convened an extraordinary sitting on Monday to extend the measure until late October. 'We are here for an extension, we are here because the threat exists,' Saddam Hosein, legal affairs minister, said during the sitting. Prisoners who were deemed 'high risk' were moved to military bases in west Trinidad, but that didn't deter attempts to interfere with their detention, according to the attorney general. 'Those locations that they were removed to were very recently also infiltrated by two drones,' Jeremie said, adding the military thwarted those attempts. Meanwhile, the Prison Officers' Association, which represents prison guards, has condemned the accusations against the guards. It's the second state of emergency that the twin-island republic implements in a matter of months. Last December, authorities took similar action, citing concerns about gang violence. That state of emergency lasted until mid-April. While members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition unanimously voted in favor of extending the emergency, the main opposition questioned whether there had been any major arrests in the first 10 days of the measure being in place. Government officials noted that police have arrested more than 340 people and launched over 800 operations so far. The extended emergency was approved a day after Trinidad and Tobago marked 35 years since the failed coup by the Islamist group Jamaat-al-Muslimeen, which left 24 people dead. The attorney general referenced that insurrection, saying the present circumstances are 'not dissimilar from those at that time.'
