In September 2022, the Georgia Conservancy submitted comments in response to proposed amendments to NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule.
From NMFS: “NMFS is proposing changes to the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) vessel speed regulations to further reduce the likelihood of mortalities and serious injuries to endangered right whales from vessel collisions, which are a leading cause of the species’ decline and a primary factor in an ongoing Unusual Mortality Event.”
Read more about the proposed amendments here.
Pregnant North Atlantic right whales travel from Canada and New England along the eastern seaboard to our coastal waters to give birth and nurse their young, making them particularly vulnerable to ship strikes. Ship strikes are the second most common cause of man-made deaths of North Atlantic right whales.
Many lethal strikes have been confirmed in the Atlantic waters of the Southeast U.S. involving vessels less than 65 feet. Since 2012, there have been nine known vessel-caused deaths or serious injuries to North Atlantic right whales, and seven of those were confirmed to be caused by vessels that were less than 65 feet. Four of those vessel strikes occurred in Southeast U.S. Atlantic waters.
The number of mortalities and serious injuries from vessel strikes in U.S. waters currently exceeds the legal threshold allowable under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, so more must be done to avoid vessel strikes and allow the North Atlantic right whale population to rebound.
The Georgia Conservancy supports additional speed restrictions that are targeted to the areas as well as the size and class of boats that would provide the greatest risk reduction with the least amount of impact on our ports and recreational boating community.
From our September 2022 public comment letter to National Marine Fisheries Service:
“Our organization supports the proposed rule with the sincere hope that compliance with this rule will help in the recovery of our critically endangered State Marine Mammal, the North Atlantic right whale. Numerous studies have indicated that slowing the speed of vessels reduces the risk of lethal vessel collisions with right whales, particularly in areas where the species is abundant.”
Click here to read our comment letter in full.
From our May 2024 comment letter to President Joseph Biden:
“If we consider survival of this species a priority, it is clear that the 2008 vessel speed rule must be strengthened to encompass broader seasonal areas and an expanded size class of vessels. With the alarming number of right whales already killed by vessel strikes this year, more effective protections are needed now. To prevent the North Atlantic right whale’s extinction, we urge your Administration to finalize the proposed amendments to the 2008 vessel speed rule immediately, so that these protections can be in place before the next calving season begins in November 2024 and that the first calf born will go on to ensure the survival of its species.”
Click here to read our letter in full.
From our August 2024 comment letter to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources:
“On behalf of the Georgia Conservancy, we are writing to express our support for NOAA Fisheries’ proposed expansion of the 2008 Vessel Speed Rule. We believe that these standards are consistent with Georgia’s coastal policies and regulations. For over 30 years, GA DNR has worked closely with NOAA and other partners, including the Georgia Conservancy, to protect North Atlantic right whales (NArw), and we are hopeful that this successful partnership will ultimately lead to the recovery of this species.”
Click here to read our comment letter in full.