This week, U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., showcased his support for a proposal to “delay the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed 10-knot speed restriction for boats longer than 35 feet until the U.S. Department of Commerce implements monitoring technology to track North American right whales.”
U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., introduced the proposal this week with Rutherford as one of four co-sponsors. Other backers include U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace, R-SC, Gregory Murphy, R-NC. and Mary Peltola, D-Alaska.
“NOAA’s new rule creates widespread speed restrictions along the Atlantic coast to prevent boat strikes to North Atlantic right whales. While I support efforts to protect this endangered species, this rule poses significant safety risks for commercial and recreational vessels and threatens up to 340,000 American jobs and nearly $84 billion in economic contributions. NOAA data indicates that the likelihood of a recreational vessel striking a right whale is less than one in a million, and boats under 65 feet in length account for only five whale strikes in the last 15 years,” Rutherford’s office noted. “Last year, the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed broadening the Atlantic Right Whale Strike Reduction Rule by requiring vessels longer than 35 feet to maintain a speed of roughly 11.5 mph in the waters off Florida and Georgia from November 15th to April 15th, right whale migration season.”
“As a Floridian, I understand the significance of the North Atlantic right whale to our ecosystems, our local economy, and our way of life,” said Rutherford. “With less than 350 North Atlantic right whales left, we must act smartly to help this species survive. That means collaborating with all stakeholders and using the best science available. I am proud to be joining Representatives Carter and Peltola in spearheading this bipartisan legislation. Together we can protect the North Atlantic right whale while preserving our coastal economy.”
“We all want to protect the right whale from extinction, but this is the wrong way to do it,” said Carter. “Before implementing a sweeping rule that will kneecap small businesses up and down the east coast, including 27,000 in Georgia alone, we must use all of the technological advancements at our disposal so that right whales and business owners can thrive together.”
“Like most of my colleagues, I am concerned about the long-term health of our marine mammal populations, including the North Atlantic Right Whale. This rule, however, has too many potential unintended consequences for small boat operators who need flexibility to maintain their safety at sea. Alaskans know that the ocean is unpredictable; limiting a vessel’s speed can have catastrophic consequences for human life and new regulations should not create additional hazards for our nation’s mariners,” said Peltola.
The bill was sent to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which sent it to its Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate.
