Broadening Protections for Whales

Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) and co-sponsors Reps. Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.), Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) recently introduced the International Whale Conservation and Protection Act of 2009 (H.R. 2455) in the House of Representatives. The bill amends the Whale Conservation and Protection Study Act to promote US leadership in global whale conservation, protection and research. Recognizing the great intrinsic value placed on whales, it highlights the need for global protection efforts, given their migratory nature and the increasing threats of ozone depletion, climate change, marine debris, vessel strikes, prey depletion, entanglements with fishing gear, chemical and noise pollution, offshore industrial development, and continued human exploitation.