Following Buchanan, Castor Efforts, NOAA Lists Gulf of Mexico Whale as Endangered

Press Release

Following a push from Congressmen Vern Buchanan's (R-FL) and Kathy Castor (D-FL), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that it would list the Gulf of Mexico Bryde's whale as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

"I applaud NOAA for heeding our bipartisan calls to list the Bryde's whale as an endangered species," Buchanan said. "Although belated, this designation will help to protect this vulnerable species and aid in its recovery. As co-chair of the Florida congressional delegation, I will continue to fight to protect Florida's environment and wildlife."

Last month, Buchanan and Castor led a bipartisan delegation letter in urging NOAA to list the Bryde's whale as endangered.

The Bryde's whale has a population of less than 50, and is one of the most endangered marine mammals on the planet and perilously close to extinction. The mammal's small habitat is limited almost entirely to waters off Florida's coast, in an area known as the De Soto Canyon.

In December 2016 the National Marine Fisheries Service found that the Bryde's whale "is in danger of extinction" and recommended that it be listed as on the Endangered Species list. Under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA was required to act on the proposed listing within 12 months of this recommendation. The decision to list the whale on the endangered species list comes more than two years after the statutorily required date.

Buchanan, co-chair of the Animal Protection Caucus, received an A rating from the Humane Society for his leadership and votes in 2018. He is also a past recipient of the Humane Society's "Legislator of the Year" award. He recently opposed the Interior Department's announcement that it would move to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species protection.

His strong record of defending animals also includes opposing weaker protections for the Florida manatee and panther, as well as urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to restore a database of animal cruelty information that the department removed suddenly and without notice.

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