Right off Florida’s coast in the Gulf of Mexico lives the Rice’s whale — one of the most endangered whale species on the planet. Fewer than 100 are left. With such a small population, the survival of each whale is essential.  

Yet Rice’s whales are dealing with speeding vessels that strike them at night as they sleep, extremely loud noise from oil and gas exploration that interferes with their communication, and devastating oil spills. The BP Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010 led to the loss of 22 percent of their total population. 

This whale is our whale — the only one to live in the Gulf of Mexico year-round – and its core habitat is off our shores. But the oil and gas industry and some ports in our state are unwilling to take any action to protect our whales. They’re fighting against new critical habitat protections and delaying conservation measures.  

Business has not stopped while protecting other endangered species in the Gulf, and it won’t stop while we protect the Rice’s whale. Ports along the Atlantic have already adapted to the presence of whales by slowing down vessel speeds. This can be done in the Gulf while still maintaining a strong shipping industry. We cannot allow for the first human-caused extinction of a great whale species, especially in our waters.  

As young residents of Florida, we urge you to support the basic conservation measures needed to save our whale:  

-Lower speeds for large commercial ships that pass through their habitat to prevent more lethal strikes. 
-Use of the best technology available to quiet the constant blasts of oil and gas exploration, which make it hard for the whales to mate and find food. 
-End new leasing and other oil and gas development in their limited habitat.  
 
We also ask you to oppose any legislation that would threaten the survival of this incredible part of the Gulf. Action is urgently needed — it’s time to stand up for our Rice's whale.