Kerry mentioned in Boston Globe article on right whales

[Muttocracy]

My mom was telling me about this story she had read in the Globe and it mentions Kerry's role pushing for it. Found an old DU thread about it too: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3215289

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/12/09/as_of_today_right_whales_gain_a_right_of_way_at_sea/
As of today, right whales gain a right of way at sea
US rule takes effect to reduce ship speed

For 10 years, scientists and environmentalists have fought to force large ships to slow down to avoid hitting any of the world's remaining 400 North Atlantic right whales. Starting today, ships will finally have to put on the brakes.

A new federal rule requires ships 65 feet or larger to slow to 11.5 miles per hour, or 10 knots, near East Coast ports when whales could be nearby. The lumbering, giant whales feed close to the sea surface and are at great risk of being struck by ships - especially because many shipping lanes slice across their migration routes. Whales are just now beginning their seasonal migration from New England waters to their calving grounds off Florida and Georgia.

...

But a growing body of evidence showed that the probability of right whales dying after being struck drops from more than 80 percent, if a vessel is traveling about 17 miles per hour or more, to just over 20 percent if the ship is moving at 11.5 miles per hour or less. The average speed of vessels in right whale habitats has been around 17 miles per hour.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sent a marine speed limit rule to the White House to be finalized in early 2007, but it was held up in the federal Office of Management and Budget. It wasn't until environmentalists, Senator John Kerry, and others publicly urged its passage that the rule was released - although in slightly weaker form than many scientists wanted.

Still, few environmentalists or scientists are complaining today. They believe the rule will help save right whale lives. And that, Knowlton said, just may mean the survival of the species.

Beth Daley can be reached at [email protected].

[MBS]

1. as usual, Kerry has been one of the good guys on this problem

. . and he's been consistently on the case here.
Obama's appt of John Holdren as science advisor is good news for the whales, and great news for the environment generally. (Holdren has had support from the Heinz Foundation -- I think his professorship at Harvard is endowed by the foundation, or named after Heinz????? -- and JK and THK have a continuing, long-term conversation with him. Made me wonder about behind-the-scenes influence. .:))
I'm also thrilled by Obama's nomination of Jane Lubchenco for head of NOAA. Excellent marine biologist with administrative experience and long-term interest in public issues.

These are superb appts. These are APPROPRIATE appts. What a pleasure to think that truly competent people will be holding these jobs.

[Muttocracy]

2. Oh, I had not heard about Lubchenco - that's great!

I've heard her speak several times at conferences and read her research in classes. A real scientist in a high position!

I've been swamped the last couple of weeks and haven't kept up with all of his appointments. Some have seemed great (Energy), some not so great (USDA) but I need to do more research on them.