New Speed Regulations to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales

Recently, there has been a lot of activity regarding the North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW). Most vessels 65 feet or longer must travel at 10 knots or less in certain locations (called Seasonal Management Areas) along the U.S. East Coast at certain times of the year. This reduced speed lowers the threat of vessel collisions with endangered right whales. The government is serious about enforcing this speed limit, NOAA. has assessed $950,306 in civil penalties for vessels exceeding these regulations across 56 cases in 2022 and 2023. In addition to these cases, other speeding violations are being actively investigated and may be subject to potential civil penalties by NOAA.

Proposed Increase in Restrictions

The currently proposed increase in restrictions would include smaller 35- to 65-foot vessels and stretch from the coast out to 100 miles in some areas. The zones cover almost the entire length of the Atlantic seaboard, from Massachusetts to Florida. This is a big concern for people who boat and fish recreationally but also commercial transportation and fishing along the east coast.

Technological Solutions to Mitigate Vessel Strikes

One group is proposing that the government implement a different solution using technology combined into marine electronics that can protect the Right Whales. A diverse group of marine industry stakeholders have established the Whale and Vessel Safety (WAVS) Task Force. This panel of experts will work to identify, develop, and implement technology and monitoring tools to mitigate the risk of vessel strikes to marine mammals, with special attention to North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW).

Innovative Technologies Under Consideration

In the near future, infrared cameras, drones, forward-facing sonar and even radar, calibrated to detect the spray from whale spouts, might also be brought to bear. Whale-mounted AIS trackers were suggested as an idea earlier last year, but they are now deemed unlikely, given that trackers placed in a whale’s fin can get infected.

Industry Commitment and Collaboration

“The marine industry is committed to working with NOAA and industry partners to reduce the risk of vessel strikes on NARW and other marine mammals through the use and development of scalable, quantifiable technology-based solutions,” said John DePersenaire, Director of Government Affairs and Sustainability for the Viking Yacht Company. “Management of the NARW has proven difficult for resource managers, and the marine community is stepping forward to help meet that challenge.”

WAVS Task Force and NOAA Workshop

WAVS Task Force members represent a broad spectrum of concerned independent stakeholders with backgrounds in marine mammal monitoring and detection, spatial risk analysis, marine electronics, marine biology, data analysis, and telemetry. Group members are committed to a collaborative approach to provide answers for ongoing and future challenges in an ever-changing environment.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently hosted a workshop in Arlington, VA, where the Whale and Vessel Safety (WAVS) Task Force and other stakeholders demonstrated technological advancements that can reduce vessel strikes of the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW). NOAA managers, WAVS members, marine industry stakeholders, researchers, and conservationists came together in great numbers for two days with a common goal: protect the NARW through science, technology, and communication. The workshop was the first time that experts in the marine industry and other industries outside of marine conservation were invited to the table together and in a significant way.

Harnessing Existing Technology

“Technology and tools already exist – they just need to be harnessed and fully utilized – and much more can be implemented in the near future,” says WAVS Taskforce Chairman John DePersenaire. “Utilizing marine electronics commonly installed on a broad range of vessels is critical to receiving and transmitting NARW information to reduce vessel strikes,” says DePersenaire. “Thermal imaging technology coupled with artificial intelligence software, for instance, will allow mariners to identify whales directly on their multi-function display and notify others through communication tools such as AIS (Automatic Identification System).”

Getting Involved in Advocacy

A momentous change in the NOAA regulations will affect all of us who are involved with coastal waters. Please get involved and help ensure our voices are heard by the lawmakers.

American Boating Congress

National Marine Manufacturers Association