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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to review the 2008 North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. The action reopens the nearly 20-year-old rule for public comment and signals a thoughtful review of how best to protect the North Atlantic right whale using modern data and technology.

The current vessel speed rule was developed in 2008. Since then, vessel design, onboard safety systems, mapping tools, and whale detection technologies have advanced significantly. NOAA’s ANPRM invites input on vessel-size-specific risk assessments, the effectiveness of new strike-reduction technologies, alternative management areas, safety provisions, and the rule’s economic impact on small businesses and coastal communities.

The recreational boating industry welcomes this official opportunity to review the rule. In response to NOAA’s announcement, NMMA stated:

“We appreciate that NOAA is taking a fresh look at the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. This nearly 20-year-old rule is outdated and in need of a thoughtful review that considers the latest technologies and innovative strategies available to protect the North Atlantic right whale and support its recovery. Reviewing the rule presents an opportunity for NOAA to receive information and data from impacted parties and to assess the latest in modern vessel technology.

"Recreational marine manufacturers support marine mammal protection, which is why we advocate for policy decisions to reflect modern vessel technology, updated data, and best-available science. We look forward to participating in the public engagement process to help inform a rule review that is balanced, reasonable, and reflects a science-based approach to marine mammal management. Environmental stewardship and responsible access to the ocean are not mutually exclusive goals of the recreational marine industry."

Recreational boating generates $230 billion in annual economic impact and supports more than 812,000 American jobs across 36,000 businesses. Ninety-five percent of boats sold in the United States are made in the United States, and 93 percent of boat builders are small businesses. Any updates to federal vessel speed requirements must account for these economic realities while advancing effective whale conservation.

NOAA’s ANPRM creates an important opportunity to align conservation goals with innovation. By inviting feedback on technological solutions and updated risk models, the agency is signaling a willingness to modernize its approach while maintaining strong protections for the North Atlantic right whale.

NMMA will work with its members, partners, and the boating community on opportunities to comment over the next 90 days. A balanced, science-based review can help ensure both marine mammal protection and responsible access to our nation’s waters – reinforcing that commerce and conservation can co-exist.