NOAA Withdraws Controversial Vessel Speed Reduction Proposal
On January 15, 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the withdrawal of its proposed vessel speed reduction rule, which aimed to mitigate vessel strikes on endangered North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) by restricting speeds for vessels 35 feet and longer. The existing 2008 speed reduction rule for vessels 65 feet and up […]
Victory for Sportfishing: Amendment 15 Withdrawn!
The National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) proposed Amendment 15 has been withdrawn from final review at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), where it was listed under the title “Data Collection and Spatial Area Management.” A government spokesperson confirmed the amendment will remain on hold until the new administration is fully in place. […]
