Committee Investigates Negative Impacts of Proposed Speed Reduction Rule

Press Release

"Unfortunately, NOAA is promulgating policies that do very little for the Right Whale, but which could be devastating to all types of boating and shipping activity on the east coast. NOAA's proposed rule, that vessels over 35 feet in length may travel at a maximum speed of 10 knots in seasonal management areas, could be extremely dangerous for small recreational boats. Moreover, NOAA's proposed "go-slow zones" would reach up to 90 miles from shore -- including thousands of square miles of ocean where the North Atlantic Right Whales have not been observed in decades. These proposed changes reduce safe operation of vessels in Federal Navigation Channels, and this rule will make boating and fishing trips in the Atlantic unsafe and nearly impossible. NOAA can and must do better than this."

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