ASSOCIATED PRESS • August 14, 2022
Federal regulators who want to enforce new vessel speed rules to help protect rare whales can expect some pushback from ship operators. The National Marine Fisheries Service is holding a series of informational meetings on the new rules, including one scheduled for Aug. 16. Some shipping and maritime groups said they have concerns the rules could make their jobs more difficult or less safe. Two of the biggest threats the whales face are ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear. Previous rule changes intended to aid the whales in recent years have focused heavily on the American lobster fishing industry. NOAA is taking written public comments on the proposed ship rules until Sept. 30.