New federal regulations aimed at protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale would be postponed for nearly a decade under a proposed extension currently advancing in Congress. The move, which has garnered significant support from fishing and lobster industry representatives, would delay the implementation of new conservation measures until 2035.

The North Atlantic right whale population, estimated at approximately 380 individuals, faces persistent threats primarily due to entanglements in fishing gear and vessel collisions. Despite these risks, the federal government paused the introduction of additional protective rules in 2022, and on July 15, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to extend this moratorium through 2035. A full congressional vote, likely scheduled for later this summer, is expected to approve the delay, given the Republican majority.

The bill, supported by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers including Rep. Jared Golden of Maine and Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, has received backing from the Trump administration. Proponents argue that the pause allows for the collection of more comprehensive data to inform effective conservation strategies.

Opposition to new regulations primarily comes from the lobster and crab industries in New England, which assert that they already operate under stringent conservation guidelines. Industry advocates warn that additional restrictions could threaten their economic viability. Beth Casoni, executive director of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, stated that the existing framework remains robust and that the proposed legislation does not reduce protections for the whales.

Environmental groups, however, caution that continued delays could have dire consequences for the species. North Atlantic right whale numbers declined by roughly 25% between 2010 and 2020, shrinking from about 480 to near the current population. While there has been a modest rebound in recent years, the whales remain critically endangered.

“More protections were needed in 2022 when Congress chose to overlook substantial evidence and deemed current efforts sufficient,” said Gib Brogan, senior campaign director at the conservation group Oceana. “Now, lawmakers are once again deferring responsibility.” Conservation advocates emphasize that right whales continue to die from interactions with commercial fishing equipment, underscoring the urgency for enhanced measures.

Historically, North Atlantic right whales were common along the U.S. East Coast but were driven to near extinction by commercial whaling in previous centuries. The debate over balancing economic interests with species recovery efforts continues as lawmakers weigh the future of right whale protections.