US ocean regulator faces criticism over changes to right whale protection rule - AP News
AP News
February 14, 2026
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The US ocean regulator has come under fire for altering regulations aimed at protecting the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. Environmental groups and activists have criticized the changes, arguing they could undermine efforts to safeguard one of the world’s most vulnerable marine species. The revised rule reduces monitoring requirements for ships in key whale habitats and relaxes speed limits designed to prevent collisions—a leading cause of mortality for these giants of the ocean.
The original protection measures were established to address the severe threats right whales face, including entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes. These rules had been widely supported by conservationists and scientists as essential steps to reverse the species’ declining population. However, the regulator’s decision to soften these protections has sparked outrage among environmental advocates, who say it disregards decades of research and conservation progress.
Critics argue that the changes prioritize industry interests over wildlife conservation, potentially jeopardizing the survival of a species already teetering on
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Originally published on AP News on 2/14/2026