The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to gather public feedback on the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. The agency is seeking input regarding the economic impacts of current speed restrictions, their effectiveness, and how new technologies might help reduce vessel strikes involving right whales.
Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) responded to NOAA's announcement by stating: “By taking public input on the economic impacts of the existing speed restriction rule, its efficacy and how emerging technologies can reduce vessel strikes, this proposal will better conserve species while enhancing public access to our marine resources. I thank President Trump and his administration for the return to commonsense and supporting anglers and coastal economies.”
Right whales are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. They migrate along the East Coast of North America, spending summers off New England and Canada before moving south for calving season.
NOAA first introduced speed restrictions in 2008 for most vessels over 65 feet traveling through designated seasonal management areas. In August 2022, under President Biden’s administration, NOAA proposed expanding these rules to include boats as small as 35 feet, increasing both the size of affected vessels and the geographic area covered by seasonal management areas. Safety exemptions were also modified in that proposal.
At that time, concerns were raised about potential negative effects on recreational boating and local economies. More than 63,000 recreational saltwater vessels over 35 feet operate in states across the proposed area. It was estimated that expanding the rule could put approximately 340,000 jobs at risk and impact nearly $84 billion in economic activity.
In July 2024, Chairman Westerman led a group of lawmakers expressing concern about these expanded regulations’ effects on recreation and regional economies. NOAA withdrew the proposal in January 2025.
Stakeholders have since called for NOAA to explore technological solutions that could better protect right whales while minimizing disruption for ocean users. The current rulemaking effort aims to consider such innovations—potentially allowing targeted speed restrictions only where whales are present at specific times—and address safety considerations.
NOAA’s latest action provides an opportunity for those affected by vessel speed rules to share their views on rule effectiveness, economic implications, safety issues, and possible technological alternatives.
