A cornerstone law faces new pressure
Republican lawmakers are pushing changes to one of America’s longest-standing conservation laws that has helped whales, seals and other marine mammals recover from decades of overexploitation. The proposed measures would loosen protections in the name of reducing regulatory burdens on fisheries and coastal industries. Supporters argue the updates reflect current science and economic realities. Conservation groups counter that the law’s strength lies in strict limits that forced safer fishing practices, vessel speed rules in crucial habitats, and careful oversight of industrial activity.

What’s at stake in the policy fight
The Marine Mammal Protection Act underpins protections for endangered North Atlantic right whales and humpbacks, among others. Scientists warn that entanglements and ship strikes remain persistent threats as warming waters shift prey and migration routes. Any rollback could slow or reverse fragile gains, they say, especially amid climate-driven changes in the North Atlantic and Pacific. Industry groups insist technology such as ropeless pots and real-time monitoring can reduce risk without blanket restrictions. The outcome will influence how U.S. agencies balance coastal jobs with biodiversity and set a precedent for managing wildlife in a hotter, busier ocean.