Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt, representing Alabama recently took the lead in a group effort led by representatives of the Alabama delegation to raise the concerns raised by a proposal to establish a brand new and more extensive critical habitat designation for the whale called Rice’s. In a letter sent to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Richard Spinrad, the delegation stated their displeasure and asked NOAA to reconsider their decision.
The main issue that was raised by Senator Britt along with her colleagues from the Alabama delegation is the absence of scientifically backed evidence to support the need for an expanded critical habitat designation to the Rice’s whale. The delegation in their letters stressed the need for scientifically sound evidence to justify this decision.
“While the protection of endangered species is a worthy objective, we are worried by the inadequacy of scientific basis for NMFS proposing to designate an additional critical habitats for rice’s whale” in the document. The letter also noted it was the case that National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has provided a few studies which did not provide conclusive evidence for conclusive conclusions regarding the range and population of the whale. This is why the group claimed to the NMFS that designations should be delayed until more scientific evidence is available.
Alongside their concerns concerning the designation of a critical habitat In addition, the delegation expressed reservations about the nature of the petition that was filed by a number of environmental groups. They saw the proposed measures, which include the restriction of vessel transits in the night, a complete report about vessel designs to NMFS and the requirement for observers to be visible on all vessels, to be harmful for the Port of Mobile and Alabama’s economy, and detrimental to recreational and commercial fishing operations on the Gulf Coast.
There were reservations from the delegation over these plans, saying that the burdens they create do not reflect the current scientific evidence, and could have negative and long-lasting effects for the Alabama economy as well as the Gulf fisheries industry.
Senator Britt pointed out the absence of any justification for the plan and the potential negative impact that it could affect Alabama’s economy, especially Mobile’s Port of Mobile which plays an important part in the lives of a lot of Americans who depend on it to get the daily necessities and goods.
Alongside the Senator Britt for signing this document included Reps. Jerry Carl (AL-01), Barry Moore (AL-02), Mike Rogers (AL-03), Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Dale Strong (AL-05), and Gary Palmer (AL-06).
