After more than two years of review, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has withdrawn their proposal for a speed-limit rule intended to protect the North Atlantic right whale from vessel strikes. “Your boat could do 24 or 25 knots and your customers are paying for that; if you have to do 10 knots, that’s going to cut down their fishing time and it’s coming out of their pocket,” Capt. Harry Garrecht told Triton in 2023. “Now that’s not fair to the captain, that’s not fair to the charter company, and that’s not fair to the charter guests.” Garrecht is just one of many in the industry that opposed the proposed speed restrictions, which would make vessels more than or equal to 35 feet in length cap their speeds at 10 knots in certain areas. NOAA received 90,000 comments on the proposal over two years. “The comments received addressed many different aspects of the rule and reflected views on all sides of the issues addressed,” NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced. “Despite its best efforts, NMFS does not have sufficient time to finalize this regulation in this Administration due to the scope and volume of public comments.” With around 370 North Atlantic right whales remaining, the whales are one of the world’s most endangered large whale species. NOAA and NMFS implemented 10-knot seasonal slow zones along the east coast of the United States for vessels 65 feet and greater to protect the species, which will continue to be in effect. While the speed rule has been withdrawn, it doesn’t mean NOAA and NMFS cannot initiate future action. “Withdrawal of the proposed rule does not preclude NMFS from taking future action, including but not limited to initiating a new rulemaking, to address ongoing lethal right whale vessel strikes,” NMFS announced. “If, in the future, NMFS decides it is appropriate to issue regulations on this topic, NMFS will do so via a new rulemaking, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.”