First there was a call on Congress to pass the Save Right Whales Act, which would impose a 10-knot speed restriction for several months of the year along the Atlantic Coast between Massachusetts and Florida. Now, add another proposal in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico where a new petition demands protection of the Rice’s whale.

Several environmental groups have just asked NOAA Fisheries to establish a year-round, 11 mph speed limit for all boats traveling in the Rice’s whale “core distribution area.” This whale, also known as the Gulf of Mexico whale, is a species of baleen whale that’s endemic to the Gulf. It’s on the endangered species list, although few people have heard of it.

The “core distribution area” is initially defined as the waters from Pensacola, the western-most city in Florida, to an area south of Tampa Bay. This would easily cover more than 50,000 square miles of prime Gulf recreational fishing waters. But it may get worse.

Some are predicting the entire Gulf of Mexico is likely to eventually be declared Rice’s whale habitat. Several petitioners, including groups such as Defenders of Wildlife, are claiming this will protect this whale from vessel strikes and noise pollution such as from oil and gas drilling which is widespread in Gulf waters.

Here are more problems: On top of the mandatory 11 mph speed limit for ALL vessels transiting the zone, this petition supports the following additional restrictions:

· No vessel transits at night.

· Vessels transiting through the zone must report their plans to NOAA Fisheries, utilize trained visual observers, and maintain a separation distance of 500 meters from Rice’s whales.

· Use and operate an Automatic Identification System or notify NOAA Fisheries of transits through the zone.

· Report all non-compliance to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours.

While all boating businesses agree protecting endangered species is important, in this case there is no evidence of Rice’s whale mortalities resulting from a recreational vessel strike. Moreover, there hasn’t even been any exploration of technological options for protecting whales.

The Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act should not be used as a way to keep boaters and anglers off public waters when other unexplored and more viable solutions may exist.

Here’s a personal example of the possible ramifications. Kay and I boat from St. Petersburg, Fla. Currently we must run at least 30 miles out into the Gulf to find major species like red snapper, gag grouper and others. So, average time running out and back would be six-plus hours.

Okay, so you don’t fish. Well, at 11 mph you better forget about your fun family tubing or skiing, cruising or just enjoying a day’s run feeling the wind in your face!

For the next 14 days (until July 6) NOAA Fisheries is taking public input on this petition. 

Click here to submit comment on this speed restriction petition.