Amendments to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule

NOAA Fisheries proposed changes to the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) vessel speed regulations to further reduce the likelihood of mortalities and serious injuries to endangered right whales from vessel collisions, which are a leading cause of the species’ decline and a primary factor in an ongoing Unusual Mortality Event. The proposed rule would have: 1) modified the spatial and temporal boundaries of current speed restriction areas, currently referred to as Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs), 2) included most vessels greater than or equal to 35 ft (10.7 m) and less than 65 ft (19.8 m) in length in the vessel size class subject to speed restriction, 3) created a Dynamic Speed Zone framework to implement mandatory speed restrictions when whales are known to be present outside active SMAs, and 4) updated the speed rule’s safety deviation provision. Changes to the speed regulations were proposed to reduce vessel strike risk based on a coast wide collision mortality risk assessment and updated information on right whale distribution, vessel traffic patterns, and vessel strike mortality and serious injury events.

NOAA Fisheries withdrew the proposed rule on January 15, 2025. Human impacts, including vessel strikes, continue to threaten the survival of North Atlantic right whales. NOAA Fisheries will continue to work closely with our partners and stakeholders to further efforts to conserve and rebuild the North Atlantic right whale population, including by using existing management measures and technological innovation and partnerships to help reduce the risk of vessel strikes.

Below are links to the 2025 Proposed Rule withdrawal, 2022 Proposed Rule, a history of vessel speed regulations, and relevant supporting documents.