Rice's Whale

The Rice's whale is one of the Gulf of Mexico’s largest and most mysterious animals, and is found nowhere else on Earth. NOAA Fisheries is set to publish a new critical habitat designation for the species.

Rice's whales are one of the world's newly discovered whale species – and already one of the most endangered. Protections for the whales in the Gulf of Mexico are not coming fast.

NOAA denied a request to implement a “vessel slowdown zone” in waters 100 meters to 400 meters deep from Pensacola to south of Tampa to protect the species.

Protection of the endangered Rice's whale came a step closer Thursday with an agreement to temporarily enact a speed limit for some vessels in the western Gulf of Mexico. Backers of the deal hope to make it permanent.

A move to restrict ship movements in the Gulf of Mexico could strangle maritime commerce, the Florida Ports Council says.

Comments are now being taken by federal environmental regulators on setting boat speed limits around areas in the Gulf of Mexico known to be the home for the rare Rice's whale.

The critically endangered species is targeting a nutritious fish to stay healthy, according to new research.

"These agencies are basically pretending that another catastrophic oil spill cannot possibly occur, cannot possibly be a risk for the Gulf of Mexico. And we know that that risk is real, and they need to be paying attention to that," said Chris Eaton, Earthjustice attorney.

On the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act last month, a group of scientists asked the federal government for protection and funds for recovery of Rice’s whales.

The Rice's whale can grow to 42 feet and is critically endangered, with fewer than 100 left.