News

The recreational boating and fishing community is at the forefront of marine conservation and knows first-hand that protecting coastal recreation is vital to creating a sustainable future for our oceans and the marine wildlife that call them home.

As many in the marine community are aware, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is preparing to finalize new regulations along the Atlantic Coast that, while designed to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale, unfortunately come at the expense of coastal recreation, including fishing, boating and tourism. The truth is, coastal communities rely on recreation to support their livelihoods and pump money into their economies. The recreational boating industry alone creates an estimated $230 billion in economic activity across the U.S. each year. But it’s not just about economics. Coastal recreation is a way of life for many Americans, providing opportunities for relaxation, exercise, and connection with nature, and must be preserved for future generations.

Responsible stewardship of our oceans requires us to consider the needs of all stakeholders, including coastal communities and businesses. As a result, a broad group of marine organizations recently launched CoastalRecreation.org as the recreational marine community works together to advocate for and urge NOAA to create a balanced approach that protects the endangered North Atlantic right whale and coastal recreation.

The group is asking stakeholders across the recreational marine community to learn more and engage on this important issue by visiting the site regularly to stay up to date on the latest news, understand how NOAA’s rule will drastically impact coastal recreation access and communities and ways to get involved. Interested stakeholders are also encouraged to share the site across industry communications and social media channels. For questions or to learn more, contact [email protected].