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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has released a new proposed vessel speed rule which aims to reduce the risk of vessel strikes to critically endangered North Atlantic right whales¹. Many fear it may not be enough to save the species.

During the past two and a half years NOAA Fisheries has documented four lethal (death and serious injury) right whale vessel strike events in U.S. waters. These events are impeding the species’ recovery and contributing to the population’s decline².

There are currently just 330 right whales remaining in the ocean³. Without stronger protections in place, these animals are facing extinction.

The whales spend most of their active hours hunting for food. At night, when the whales rest just beneath the ocean surface, they can all-to-easily become obstacles to vulnerable to fast-moving ships⁴.

The NMFS proposed changes would expand the rule to vessels greater than 35 feet in length (compared to the previous 65 feet), expand seasonal speed zones, and upgrade voluntary speed zones to mandatory in areas where whales are seen⁶.

Oceana’s 2021 report, Speeding Toward Extinction indicates that most vessels, in some cases, up to 90%, did not comply with mandatory 10-knot slow zones. In voluntary slow zones, 50% to 85% of vessels did not slow down to 10-knots⁶.

Oceana and other conservation groups are now calling for even greater protections for North Atlantic right whales in the final vessel speed rule, including:

• Expanded seasonal speed zones to cover any and all times and areas that North Atlantic right whales are expected to be present.
• Requirement for all vessels in these zones to carry and continuously transmit Automatic Identification System (AIS) devices.
• Requirement for federal vessels to follow the rule unless responding to national security or safety concerns.
• Improved enforcement of speed limits.

NOAA Fisheries scientists first recognized the Gulf of Mexico whale as a unique species in 2021⁷. It is the only great whale known to live entirely off the U.S. coast, earning from some researchers the nickname “America’s whale.” However appreciated, the whale is currently one of the most endangered species on earth.

Help us prevent this species from going extinct. Sign the petition and ask the Department of Commerce to strengthen safeguards for North Atlantic right whales by releasing a strong, final vessel strike rule.