A Whale of A Week, North Atlantic right whales, Humpback Whales, Morgan Gives Birth in Captivity & Japan Continues to Kill Whales for Profit

North Atlantic right whales are in crisis Another young North Atlantic right whale was just found dead. The second this year. And last year’s unexpected deaths of 17 North Atlantic right whales had devastating effects on the already fragile population. There are only approximately 100 female North Atlantic right whales of breeding age left. No new calves were seen this year. Now, federal officials are poised to open over 90 percent of federal waters to new offshore drilling activities. Seismic airgun blasts are loud enough to cause temporary and permanent hearing loss, serious injury and potentially even death in some whales, dolphins and other marine life that rely on sound waves to communicate. This could be a tipping point for the survival of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The bottom line, this offshore drilling plan WILL move forward if we don’t stop it now. To pull that off, we need your help. There is no time to waste. Protect our oceans and critically endangered North Atlantic right whales from yet another threat and potential extinction. The dynamite-like blasts continue for days to months on end for up to a year. The sound from airguns can travel thousands of miles through the water – the distance from New York to Los Angeles – affecting marine life in its path. The oil and gas industry is dead set on making this a reality and won’t back down easily. We won’t back down either. It’s going to take tireless efforts from Oceana organizers, campaigners and scientists from across the country to protect whales, dolphins and other marine life from seismic airgun blasting and offshore drilling. Together, we’ve made important progress: Over 305 municipalities nationwide formally oppose the expansion of oil and gas activities off their shores – a record number; Every East and West Coast governor except one has voiced concerns with oil and gas development off their coast; Over 2,000 local, state and federal elected officials have opposed these risky drilling activities; Alliances representing more than 43,000 businesses and 500,000 fishing families have stated that offshore drilling is a direct threat to their livelihoods. Our fight isn’t over, and we really need support from members like you to push through the next critical months. Protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales from seismic airgun blasting! We know that progress is possible, and when we fight, we win. We’ve successfully kept offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting for oil and gas out of Atlantic waters for years, and I know that with your support we can do it again. Text JOIN to 50555 to sign up for Oceana text alerts. Standard message and data rates may apply.

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How Much Do YOU Know About Humpback Whales? Oceana

Morgan Gives Birth: Another Orca Condemned to a Tiny, Concrete Cell Needs Your Help. Morgan the orca has given birth to her first calf after suffering in captivity at Loro Parque, Spain, for over eight years. She delivered the baby in a small concrete tank and is likely to be impregnated again and again for as long as she's imprisoned at the marine park. Read More and Take Action Now!

Tell Loro Parque Marine Park to Release Morgan and Her Calf to Sanctuary. Loro Parque, a marine park in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands just off the coast of Spain, is holding an orca named Morgan captive in prison-like conditions. Despite an original plan to "rehabilitate" the underweight wild dolphin, she tragically has been forced into slavery for entertainment along with her newborn calf. We cannot allow this to continue! TAKE ACTION

Japan Continues to Kill Whales for Profit Despite Rejected Proposal. The International Whaling Commission is a notorious body that has been is referred to alternately as a conservation organization, and a hunting club. At this year's meetings, however, conservation won out — and so did the whales, for the most part. READ MORE