Animal Protection Groups Sue the National Marine Fisheries Service

Non-profit organization which take care of ecosystems seek for justice in a Massachusetts federal court. Members from Defenders of Wildlife, the Humane Society of the United States and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society though it is time for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to assume responsability for  not taking care of the endangered whales.

The officials are willing to make the National Marine Fisheries Service pay for its negligence, if the judge establishes that the organization is responsible for allowing four federal fisheries to threaten the safety of whales population.

One of the most threatened creatures is the North Atlantic right whale, which has already been included in the List of Endangered Species.

It seems that every year, such animals become the unfortunate victims of fishermen and major companies which operate in this field of activity.

This year, the authorities have already reported the death of two endangered whales. Entanglement is the main factor that causes their death. In some cases, the creatures manage to survive, but still face chronic infections and other illnesses related to this phenomenon.

Representatives from non-profit organization say that they are dealing with a delicate situation that threatens the wellbeing of the entire oceanic wildlife.

Furthermore, they declare that, despite the fact that the National Marine Fisheries Service is aware of the fisheries' damaging impact upon the ecosystem, no measure has been taken to solve this matter.

The present situation is critical, since biologists state that unless strict regulations are being followed, the North Atlantic right whale faces extinction. It's a fact that scientists found in their habitat less than 400 members of this species.

“Every single right whale counts when it comes to ensuring the species’ survival, but the Fisheries Service continues to place whales at risk of injury and death.Safeguarding the right whale from entanglements in fishing gear is a vital step towards moving this species out of the emergency room and onto the path to recovery,” declared Sharon Young, marine issues field director for The Humane Society of the United States.

Even thought the National Marine Fisheries Service's behavior might not show it, the organization is well aware of the emerging threat fisheries represent for the oceanic creatures with an already-fragile balance.

Not long ago, NMFS declared that the “loss of even a single individual may contribute to the extinction of the species,” while talking about the faith of the North Atlantic right whale.