Oceanic speed limits to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale will likely be rewritten under a much-anticipated NOAA Fisheries effort launched Tuesday.
Citing an intent to “craft durable programs that consider both conservation and the economic vitality of coastal communities,” the agency called for fresh ideas that can reduce collisions between boats and whales. One all-but-certain idea will be to change vessel speed limits originally set in 2008.
“The goal of this initiative is to reduce unnecessary regulatory and economic burdens on the regulated community by replacing current seasonal speed restrictions with alternative management areas and advanced, technology-based, strike-avoidance measures,” NOAA Fisheries stated.
The agency added in its published notice that the revisions are also intended to “maintain or enhance conservation efficacy” for the whale species. NOAA Fisheries did not immediately issue a press release about the move, and the agency did not respond to emails Tuesday morning.
