March 23, 2024 — We’re taking a closer look into the amendments proposed by the NOAA that would increase the number of boats required to slow down offshore in an effort to protect the endangered Right Whale from strikes.
On Monday, we spoke to charter businesses that would be affected by the changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. But changing the length requirements from 65 ft boats to 35 ft or longer isn’t the only change being proposed- there are three other major amendments as well.
The National Marine Fisheries Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been leading the change to the vessel strike reduction rule and propose four major changes to the rule that was first implemented in 2008. This is a map of the current Seasonal Management areas where the 10-knot limit, that’s about 11 miles an hour, is in place during the right whale’s migratory season- but take a look at the proposed change. Now called Seasonal Speed Zones, it stretches along the entire east coast up to 90 miles offshore. These will be mandatory for all boats 35ft or longer during the specified periods.