SOUTHEASTERN NC — Due to continued public interest, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management has received an extension from NOAA to conclude the division’s review of the the proposed amendments to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule.
READ MORE: NOAA, boaters argue over Atlantic Coast speed reduction proposal, aimed at saving whales
The agency stipulates boats longer than 64 feet must proceed at a speed of 10 knots in seasonal speed zones enforced from Nov. 1 to April 30 in North Carolina. NOAA is deliberating whether it will extend the speed zone limits to vessels measuring 35 to 65 feet.
With it would come speed zones capturing the entire East Coast, rather than sections of it with a higher volume of whale sightings. The rule would also establish temporary 10-knot transit zones when right whales are detected outside designated speed zones.
The rule is in response to an increase in right whale strikes. Worldwide, the right whale has fewer than 350 total and only 70 reproductively active females remaining.
However, having to slow down would decimate full-day charter fishing, according to many boaters, which needs hours of travel time to reach prime fishing destinations at sea. Commercial fishing would also take a hit — around 25% of the fleet in North Carolina — due to slower speeds. Boaters have raised safety concerns, asking leaders what happens if drivers need to increase speed in challenging channels or to avoid bad weather.
North Carolina’s comment period was scheduled to end at 5 p.m. on July 31 but has now been extended until 5 p.m. on Aug. 31.
Written comments should be mailed to Daniel Govoni, Federal Consistency Coordinator, 400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City, NC 28557 or emailed to DCMComments@deq.nc.gov. Please put “North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule” in the subject line.
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