Volume 217, March 10, 2022

Tell Congress to Rescue Right Whales from Entanglements with the SAFE SEAS Act


Lobstermen and consumers should not have to cover the costs of new trap lines to rescue right whales from potential entanglements. Right Whales are a national treasure, pride of New Englanders, and sometimes companions of boaters and beach goers. 

The Stewarding Atlantic Fisheries Ecosystems by Supporting Economic Assistance and Sustainability (SAFE SEAS) Act of 2022 will help lobstermen and women with the financial burden of this transition by authorizing grant assistance for fiscal years 2022 through 2024 to help cover the costs of compliance.


“Maine lobstermen and women have always been good stewards of the environment and have taken numerous actions to protect right whales when the science has warranted it. As NOAA moves ahead with this rule despite the Maine delegation’s urging against it, our legislation would help alleviate the financial burden our lobstermen and women face. We must ensure that this heritage industry has the assistance it needs to continue to support coastal families and communities for generations to come.” Senator Susan Collins said.

Senator Angus King said, “For generations, Maine’s lobstering communities have set the gold standard for creating and maintaining a sustainable fishery. Despite this history of environmental leadership, Maine lobstermen are now being subjected to significant regulations that will drastically alter the industry. As this plan moves forward despite questions surrounding the data and aggressive time frame, the least Congress can do is provide funding to help adjust to the new regulations.”
Recognize Right Whale Day April 24th with a tale and/or illustration.

State Representative, Josh Cutler, has filed a bill to create Massachusetts Right Whale Day April 24 (H.33869). The bill is out of committee and is awaiting to be brought to the floor for a vote.

The Delaney family and ORI invite you to celebrate Massachusetts North Atlantic Right Whale Day by submitting a short account or piece of what right whales mean to you. Perhaps share an encounter with a live whales or whale art or your thoughts on the plight of right whales and how important they are. 

Please click on our website to submit your text and an image, perhaps a drawing. Check out what others are saying about right whales. Your thoughts, words and images will be enjoyed by many and should help pass the bill on Beacon Hill. 

The Boston Area Brigade of Activist Musicians (BABAM) preform 11th Hour Calling for First Parish Church in Cambridge, February 11, 2022.

11th Hour Calling for Climate Justice
at First Parish Church in Cambridge
Climate Justice requires Racial Justice

On Friday, March 11 at 6 pm, we’ll gather on the steps of First Parish Church in Cambridge, 1446 Massachusetts Ave, for our monthly 11th Hour Calling.

Now is the eleventh hour for action. It is also a time of hope and opportunity to tread more gently, emit less greenhouse gasses, draw down and store more greenhouse gasses, restore our water cycles, and care more for those already adversely affected by climate change, especially in the economically poorest neighborhoods.

We call on Beacon Hill to pass the 100% Clean Energy Act (H.3288/s.2136). We call on the candidates for governor to commit to (1.) require 50% of climate spending directly benefit environmental justice communities; (2.) undertake restructuring to reform utilities & modernize the grid; and (3.) to maximize the economic benefits increase funding of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Council.

The church bell will toll for eleven minutes. The Boston Area Brigade of Activist Musicians (BABAM) will strike up the band and play in front of First Parish Church. Together, we’ll sing out a song by Aaron Tornberg https://aarontornberg.com/music.

Boston Common Harbor

Happy 22nd Century in Boston Massachusetts
We’ll drop a shipment of green water for the Isle of Bunker Hill
The waters of the world have slowly crept over the city
Leaving only remnants of the monuments that were.

Chorus:
Sailing, Sailing the underwater town
From Boston Common Harbor through Charles River Sound
Scuba through the coral of colorful Back Bay
Sailing over Boston where the Red Sox used to play.

Here at the Ocean River Institute, we don’t just talk about the need to fight climate change. We’re using all of our knowledge about the threats we face to press others to take bold action. 

And bold action is exactly what the world needs in the fight against climate change. Who's in your corner?
 
Publications in 2021:

“Zumi’s host Natural Lawn Care for Healthy Soils Challenge,” Ipswich Chronicle Transcript, Aug 10, 2021

“Peabody peak capacity generator need not burn fossil fuels,” The Salem News, Aug 5, 2021 

“30% preserved or restored by 2030,” The Salem News, Sep 29, 2021

“Pogie deaths, a Mystic River mystery,” Boston Herald, Oct 4, 2021

“Remember the right whales with a special day,” CommonWealth, Oct 29, 2021


"Rob Moir, PhD, Science Advocate," Forbes, Oct/Nov 2021
The Ocean River Institute is the only organization that raises a cacophony of voices to decision-makers. When you speak out on any one of our campaigns, you are heard.  Thanks to those of you who took the time to write a comment. You are opening the doors of committees and the minds of politicians who serve their constituents or are just looking for a way forward to climate justice.


For healthy oceans, watersheds, and wildlife diversity.