MAINE PUBLIC • June 27, 2024
Conservation groups said they're waiting on the federal government to finalize long-delayed ship speed limits, which are aimed at preventing collisions with critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. But industry groups are now asking Congress for a five-year delay. The new speed rules were proposed by NOAA nearly two years ago. Since then, the outdoor recreation and maritime shipping industries have argued that new speed restrictions would harm their businesses. The industries are advocating to delay the implementation until at least 2030 and instead establish a grant program to deploy technologies aimed at reducing right whale vessel strikes. Congress has already approved a pause on new rules aimed at reducing the risks of fishing gear entanglement on right whales through 2028.