July 12, 2018 — U.S. Sen. Edward Markey is co-sponsoring Senate legislation mandating the U.S. Department of Commerce appropriate $5 million in grants annually over the next decade to help rebuild the populations of the imperiled North Atlantic right whales.
The Senate bill co-sponsored by Markey and other senators closely mirrors a bill U.S. Rep Seth Moulton has filed as a primary sponsor in the House of Representatives.
If voted into law, the legislation would require the U.S. commerce secretary to provide competitive grants for projects aimed at the conservation of the endangered right whales. Marine scientists estimate there are fewer than 450 of the marine mammals left alive.
Both the House and Senate bills carry a non-federal matching requirement of 25 percent for successful applicants. They also authorize in-kind contributions as part of the matching requirement.