WASHINGTON, D.C., July 13, 2026 — More than 31,500 public comments have been submitted to the federal government in support of maintaining Endangered Species Act protections for the critically endangered Rice’s whale, demonstrating strong public concern for the future of one of the world’s rarest whale species.
The Rice’s whale is the only whale species that lives year-round in the Gulf of Mexico and is found nowhere else on Earth. Scientists estimate that only 51 individuals remain, making it one of the most endangered whale species in the world and underscoring the urgent need for strong, science-based protections.
“This extraordinary public response shows that people across the country recognize what is at stake,” said Jewel Tomasula, National Policy Director for the Endangered Species Coalition. “Americans do not want to see the extinction of a species found only in the Gulf of Mexico. They want science-based protections that give Rice’s whales a chance to recover.”
The public comments were submitted in response to a federal review of the species’ Endangered Species Act protections. The overwhelming response reflects growing awareness of the Rice’s whale’s precarious status and broad support for safeguarding the Gulf ecosystem the species depends upon.
“This is another example of the strong and growing public support for protecting Rice’s whales along the Gulf Coast and across the country,” said Christian Wagley, Coastal Organizer for Healthy Gulf. “Residents throughout the Gulf region value our marine wildlife and recognize that protecting Rice’s whales is part of building a healthier, more resilient Gulf for future generations.”
Public engagement around Rice’s whale conservation has steadily increased in recent years as scientists and advocates have worked to raise awareness about the species and the threats it faces. Conservation organizations, Gulf Coast communities, marine scientists, and concerned citizens have joined together to ensure this uniquely American whale remains protected under the Endangered Species Act.
In June 2026, the Endangered Species Coalition hosted a public webinar, Taking Action for Rice’s Whales, featuring leading whale researchers and conservation policy experts. Hundreds of participants attended or viewed the webinar ahead of the federal comment deadline on July 6, highlighting growing public interest in protecting Rice’s whales and their Gulf habitat.
Rice’s whales were formally recognized as a distinct species in 2021 following groundbreaking genetic research. Scientists have since documented a range of threats to the species, including vessel strikes, industrial ocean noise, and habitat impacts associated with offshore oil and gas development. Because the population is so small, even the loss of a single whale can have significant consequences for the species’ future.
“The Endangered Species Act is America’s most effective law for preventing extinction, and Rice’s whales need its protections now more than ever,” Tomasula added. “This remarkable public response sends a clear message: people want decisions about endangered species to be guided by science and focused on recovery.”
For more information about Rice’s whales and ongoing conservation efforts, visit OurGulfWhale.org.