The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have restricted boats from 35 to 65 feet to 11 mph along much of the Eastern Seaboard for up to seven months a year to protect Atlantic right whales from vessel strikes. The marine industry has been fighting the proposed regulation since NOAA first publicized it in August 2022.
According to a statement released this morning:
“NMFS withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on August 1, 2022, to amend the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) vessel speed regulations. NMFS withdraws this proposed rule in light of numerous and ongoing requests from the public for further opportunity to review and engage with the agency on the proposal. NMFS’s existing vessel speed regulations remain in effect.”
NOAA Marine Fisheries Service received approximately 90,000 public comments on the proposed rule, according to the statement. Withdrawal of the proposed rule does not preclude the organization from taking future action to address right whale strikes.
This is a developing story. Trade Only Today will include additional reporting in tomorrow’s e-news.
