This week, members of Florida’s Congressional delegation sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget expressing grave concerns over NOAA’s proposed North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Restrictions Rule and the effects it will have on Florida’s coastal communities.
Signing the letter were Sen. Rick Scott and Representatives Gregory Steube, Neal Dunn, Brian Mast, Aaron Bean, John Rutherford, Maria Elvira Salazar, Gus Bilirakis, Anna Paulina Luna, Carlos Gimenez and Kat Cammack. A copy of the letter is below.
The federal Office of Management and Budget has been reviewing NOAA’s proposed Rule since early March. If approved, the Rule will drastically expand the mandatory 10-knot speed restrictions in existing Seasonal Management Areas for vessels greater than 35 feet in length and create a new Seasonal Speed Zone boundary spanning from Florida to Massachusetts.
While this Rule will affect the entire Eastern Seaboard, Florida will be disproportionately impacted as recreational boating generates $31.3 billion every year for our state and supports more than 109,000 jobs for fellow Floridians. Additionally, commerce to and from Florida’s three major seaports will be hindered as vessels will be required to slow their operations.
The recreational fishing community believes strongly in protecting right whales, however, there is a smarter approach that can be taken on this important issue. We are working with partners to encourage the use of onboard technology safety features, such as infrared cameras, passive acoustic monitoring, and forward-facing sonar, that can be used today to reduce strike risk to right whales.
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