Thursday April 25, 2024
Center for Biological Diversity —
More than 80 conservation organizations today urged Congress to increase the National Marine Fisheries Service’s budget for marine mammals, sea turtles and other federally protected marine species from $175.5 million to $475.5 million.
Today’s letter notes that more than one-third of all marine mammals face extinction in the coming decades due to threats from climate change, fisheries bycatch, pollution, exploitation and habitat loss. Despite the urgency of the situation, the Fisheries Service budget has remained flat in recent years when taking into account record-high inflation rates.
“It breaks my heart to watch these incredible animals fight so desperately to survive while Congress refuses to do more than the bare minimum to save them,” said Stephanie Kurose, deputy director of government affairs at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Extinction is forever. Time is running out, and we need bold commitments from our leaders to do whatever it takes to bring these species back from the brink.”