"The Rice's whale is the only whale species that lives year-round in the Gulf of Mexico, where there are fewer than 100 - and possibly fewer than 50 - left. Recognized as a distinct species in 2021, the Rice's whale is usually found in a narrow area in the northeastern part of the Gulf, in waters 100 to 400 meters deep."
"They're fairly picky eaters, diving to the gulf floor for fatty fish - mainly silver-rag driftfish - during the day and then resting close to the surface at night, meaning that they are 'quite living on the edge.'"
"The Interior Department on Tuesday will consider the request at a meeting of the seldom-used Endangered Species Committee - nicknamed the 'God Squad' because it can approve federal projects even they could cause extinction."
The Rice's whale, one of the world's rarest whales, is found only in the Gulf of Mexico, where fewer than 100 individuals remain. The Trump administration's plans to expand oil and gas drilling pose significant risks to this species, including vessel strikes, noise pollution, and oil spills. The Interior Department is considering an exemption from endangered species laws, which could further endanger the Rice's whale and other vulnerable marine life. The species, recognized in 2021, has specific dietary needs and is particularly susceptible to environmental changes.
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