Biden administration withdraws new vessel speed limit proposal

An aerial shot of a right whale swimming
NOAA Fisheries first proposed the extension in 2022 to better protect critically endangered right whales, which have declined in population to fewer than 400 individuals | Photo courtesy of lego 19861111/Shutterstock
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The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have expanded vessel speed limits along the East Coast, with NOAA Fisheries claiming that it does not have time to complete the rulemaking process before Biden leaves office.

The government’s current rule sets a speed limit of 10 knots for vessels over 65 feet in length; the Biden administration’s proposed rule would have extended that speed limit to all vessels 35 feet in length or greater.

NOAA Fisheries first proposed the extension in 2022 to better protect critically endangered right whales, which have declined in population to fewer than 400 individuals. Vessel strikes are one of the main factors behind that decline, according to the agency.

The rule has faced strong opposition from fishers and lawmakers, who note that the agency has struggled to demonstrate a causal relationship between a lower speed limit for smaller vessels and reduced strikes. In July, 54 federal legislators signed a joint letter asking NOAA Fisheries to reopen the rulemaking process for further review. U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (R-Georgia) also introduced a bill that would prevent a speed limit change through 2030 and establish a grant program to find other ways to reduce vessel strikes.

The massive amount of feedback the agency received on the rule ultimately defeated it. With Biden set to leave office in January, NOAA Fisheries officials noted ...


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