NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service has announced an advance notice of proposed rulemaking requesting information that could help modernize regulations designed to reduce the risk of lethal vessel strikes with endangered North Atlantic right whales.
Through this action, the agency invites public comment to inform potential revisions to the 2008 vessel speed rule. Under existing regulations, most vessels 65 feet or longer must travel at 10 knots or less in Seasonal Management Areas along the U.S. East Coast at certain times of the year. Lower vessel speeds are one of the ways to reduce the likelihood of serious injury or death to North Atlantic right whales in the event of a vessel collision.
NOAA is seeking information from industry experts, coastal communities, and other relevant stakeholders on ways to reduce unnecessary regulatory and economic burdens while ensuring responsible conservation practices for endangered North Atlantic right whales.
The public is encouraged to submit comments via the Federal Register during the comment period through June 2, 2026. The Federal Register page also provides links to view comments already submitted, along with a comprehensive background review of the issue.
“NOAA encourages economic prosperity in our oceans, and advancements in technology are increasingly allowing maritime commerce to coexist with endangered species,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA administrator.
NOAA continues to focus on developing new technologies, engineering approaches, and other advanced tools to reduce the risk of vessel strikes with endangered North Atlantic right whales. Technology has the potential to provide transformational tools to prevent species extinction while allowing marine industries, including fisheries, boating, and shipping, to continue to flourish.
NOAA Fisheries hosted a first-of-its-kind public workshop in March 2024 to explore and promote new and existing technologies to reduce the risk of vessel strikes for North Atlantic right whales and other large whales. The workshop drew nearly 600 participants from the maritime, technology, industrial, academic, nonprofit, tribal, and government sectors.
“NOAA Fisheries remains committed to a thorough review of the best available science and public comments to ensure regulations that consider both the needs of industry and endangered species,” said Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “We will continue to explore creative solutions that support economic activity while carrying out responsible management practices for endangered species.”
There are approximately 380 North Atlantic right whales in existence—an increase of approximately 20 individuals since 2020. The latest estimate in 2025 marks the third consecutive year that the population has shown signs of increasing. NOAA Fisheries estimates there to be only about 70 reproductively active females.
The agency declared an Unusual Mortality Event in 2017 due to elevated deaths. Human impacts continue to threaten the survival of North Atlantic right whales, and the population will need to increase significantly in order to recover.
Recently, Guice Offshore earned a grade of A+ from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Ocean Service for exercising diligence and commitment in adhering to safe speed limits designed to protect North Atlantic right whales while transiting protected waters of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary during the first half of 2025. Our mini supply vessel GO Liberty received a separate certificate of corporate responsibility and a grade of A+ as well.
