In 2022, NOAA released recommendations for vessel speed restrictions in an effort to protect the North Atlantic right whale. NOAA not only expanded the area dramatically, they also expanded the vessels being covered. The new rules would restrict most vessels 35 feet or larger to 10 knots in these seasonal zones. Approval of this proposal however is stalled. There are too many competing interests and a large number of people are opposed to the changes. In the end the whales lose. Another calf was struck recently be a vessel and died. The North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered with less than 400 left so every death is devastating. These whales are very slow swimmers and cannot avoid the high speed vessels. Public comment on this proposal ended in October 2022. It is time to approve NOAA's recommendations.

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