The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has expressed ‘disappointment’ with the US Department of Commerce’s decision to advance the North Atlantic right whale (NARW) Vessel Strike Reduction Rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a final review. An estimate from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium finds that the critically endangered North […]
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is expected to delay its expansion of the 2008 North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction rule until 2024. NOAA Fisheries is proposing changes to the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) vessel speed regulations (NARW) to further reduce the likelihood of mortalities and serious injuries to critically endangered right […]
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has denied a petition to establish a mandatory speed limit and other vessel-related mitigation measures to protect the endangered Rice’s whale in the Gulf of Mexico. According to NOAA, the decision — which was confirmed on Friday (27 October 2023) — was made based on various factors, including […]
A new estimate from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium finds that the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale population remains at risk of extinction with only around 356 whales in 2022. In 2021, their population estimate was around 340 North Atlantic right whales, but was recalculated to 364, primarily due to the recent cataloging of 18 […]
A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the US House of Representatives and US Senate to delay funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed speed restrictions for boats measuring 35-65 feet. The bill argues that funding should be withheld until the Department of Commerce fully implements new monitoring systems for North Atlantic right […]
Following this week’s hearing on the proposed changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule, two US senators have introduced a bipartisan bill that seeks to prevent the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from implementing its proposed vessel speed restriction along the Atlantic seaboard. NOAA Fisheries is proposing changes to the […]
The recreational boating and fishing industry has testified before a US House Subcommittee about the impact of the proposed changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule, which would impact jobs, businesses and coastal recreation across the Atlantic seaboard. NOAA Fisheries is proposing changes to the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) […]