August 5, 2022 — More ships will have to slow down when crossing the ocean to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales if a proposed federal rule change passes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries division announced last week a proposal to expand current seasonal speed restrictions of about 12 mph or less to all vessels that are at least 35 feet in length.
In addition, the proposal includes a draft “roadmap” outlining possible ways to increase the use of ropeless fishing gear.
The suggested changes are part of a larger strategy to conserve and rebuild the right whale population, said NOAA Assistant Administrator Janet Coit. Collisions with vessels and entanglements in fishing gear are among the leading causes of injury and death for the species.
It is believed that fewer than 350 North Atlantic right whales remain, and under 100 of those are reproductively active females.