Today I instructed the United States representatives to the International Maritime Organization to seeks strong measures to protect the northern right whale, one of the world's most endangered marine mammals. Like many other species of whale, the northern right whale was once hunted nearly to extinction. The 300 or so that survive spend much of the year in waters off of Cape Cod and off the Georgia and Florida coasts.
Biologists believe the greatest human threat they face today is collisions with large ships.
We must address this threat so these magnificent creatures can flourish once again. We believe this reporting system is essential if we are to ensure the survival of these majestic creatures.