Senator John Kerry (D-MA), a long-standing champion of whales, introduced legislation in early March “to amend the Whale Conservation and Protection Study Act to promote international whale conservation, protection, and research, and for other purposes.” S. 3116 is a companion bill to a House version introduced last year that would promote a return to US leadership on behalf of whales. Coming at a critical time for these marine mammals, when discussions about the resumption of commercial hunting are underway by the International Whaling Commission, the bill 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.