Some more #rightwhale news: Today, @pewtrusts filed an emergency petition with federal regulators, demanding they take action to protect the critically endangered species asap.

"Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the agency is required to take immediate action if a permitted activity is having more than a negligible impact on an endangered species," said @OceanChristine, who noted NOAA used such authority before in 1997 to protect right whales.

"We believe immediate, interim rule-making should be used to bridge the gap until final regulations are in effect on the water, which could be 2022."

They urged @NOAAFisheries to close fishing areas that are mostly seasonal and in offshore waters.

"Deaths and serious injuries of right whales continue to be well over what the population can biologically sustain, and more than four times the legally allowable limit," they wrote. "Entanglement in gear is the biggest threat to the species’ survival."

Author of that letter was @PeterTBaker, who also wrote: "The proposed closures are designed to afford the greatest protections for right whales, while minimizing the impact on fishermen."