SAVE Right Whales Act of 2019 - Fall

Advisor: Adrian Hill

Team Members: Olivia Alves, Sophie Capshaw-Mack, Josh Cooper, Charlotte Doyle, Alisha Lee, Nathalia Nagai, Sherry Qiu, Mike Stellitano, Chelsea Vargas, Yuxi Wang

The North Atlantic right whale population has declined to roughly 400 individuals, driven primarily by ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, with climate-driven shifts in zooplankton prey forcing whales into increasingly unprotected and heavily trafficked waters. Existing protections, including habitat designations and vessel speed limits, have not kept pace with changing ecological conditions. The SAVE Right Whales Act addresses these threats by authorizing sustained federal investment in conservation programs and scientific research, including transboundary monitoring of plankton populations and expanded financial support for projects that reduce human-caused mortality. These measures seek to improve understanding of whale migration patterns and ensure conservation strategies reflect shifting ecological realities.

Program design prioritizes competitive grants administered by the Department of Commerce to fund innovative conservation solutions, including fishing gear modifications, monitoring technologies, and collaborative management efforts with industry and conservation groups. Dedicated funding for plankton surveys strengthens the scientific basis for conservation planning by identifying critical feeding habitats and anticipating future migration shifts. Performance metrics focus on measurable reductions in entanglement and vessel strikes, improved monitoring coverage, and strengthened international cooperation. By combining targeted funding, scientific research, and coordinated conservation action, the program provides a structured pathway to stabilize the population and prevent extinction while balancing ecological protection with maritime and fishing industry activities.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.