The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has denied a petition to establish a mandatory speed limit and other vessel-related mitigation measures to protect endangered Rice’s whales in the Gulf of Mexico. The decision was based on various factors, including scientific assessments, the potential economic impact on commercial and recreational activities, and the effectiveness of existing conservation measures.
“We welcome this approach by NOAA, in which they listened to all stakeholders, including the recreational boating and fishing industries, and committed to using the latest science to inform their rulemaking,” Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, said in a statement.
The petition submitted to NOAA Fisheries requested the establishment of a 10-knot mandatory speed limit and additional measures to protect the endangered Rice’s whale. NMMA and other organizations representing sport fishing and boating submitted comments urging NOAA to reject the petition, citing a lack of data and science to support such measures.
“The petition denial is significant in the broader context of marine conservation,” NMMA stated. “It highlights the complexity of balancing species protection with economic considerations, a challenge that is particularly relevant given NOAA Fisheries’ proposed rule to expand existing speed restriction rules for the [North Atlantic right whale].”
The petition denial has no bearing on the proposed right whale speed restrictions along the Eastern Seaboard, but NMMA said it demonstrates that NOAA is heeding the concerns of the boating industry and that the agency has shown the ability to make “evidence-based determinations on conservation measures.”
NMMA said it anticipates NOAA will release the right-whale rule by the end of the year. “We continue to pressure the administration to pause the rule while pursuing efforts with allies in Congress to establish safeguards through legislation,” the NMMA said.
If NOAA moves forward with the proposed speed limit, NMMA is coordinating with legal counsel and staying informed of coordinated plans from members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
