Sample Letter
Please modify the letter below to replace red text with your own information. You can submit your comment here
Dear NOAA Fisheries,
My name is [YOUR FULL NAME] and I am from [CITY, STATE]. [YOUR PERSONAL STORY, IN 1-2 SENTENCES. E.g., I grew up along the coast and have always loved the ocean and its inhabitants. Or I love nature, or I have been whale watching… ]
That’s why I’m writing to you today about our North Atlantic right whales. I’m asking you to do everything you can to save this critically endangered species from extinction. While your proposed rule is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough. I urge NOAA Fisheries to consider the following in formulating the final draft of the rule:
- Weak rope will not do enough: modifications to fishing gear, called weak rope, are intended to reduce risk of entanglement. But weak rope has not been thoroughly evaluated and has not been proven to reduce risk.
- We need more, and longer, habitat closures: to truly save the species, we need to dramatically reduce the amount of vertical lines in the water, for a longer period of time. The proposed closures are not long enough or large enough to protect these whales.
- Ropeless fishing gear is the best path forward: NOAA Fisheries must continue efforts to test and foster a market for ropeless technologies by creating incentives for fishermen to try them.
Right whales are majestic, social creatures that are a critical part of the ecosystem. We are their greatest threat, and only hope We have to act now to save them. Please do everything you can to prevent their extinction.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME HERE]