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NOAARulemakingNOAA-NMFS-2026-0364

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Amend the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule

RIN
0648-BO42
Last modified
Jun 24, 2026
Comment window
closed 56d ago
Animal Welfare Institute filings
1

Activity

Animal Welfare Institute filed 1 comment on this docket between Jun 3, 2026 and Jun 3, 2026. 5 other organizations filed here. The comment window closed 56d ago.

What Animal Welfare Institute filed (1)

Jun 3, 2026· Comment from Animal Welfare Institute· NOAA-NMFS-2026-0364-29507

Dear Director Damon-Randall, The Animal Welfare Institute submits these comments on behalf of 23 organizations in response to the National Marine Fisheries Service Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. As organizations working to protect marine wildlife from human impacts, we write to express our strong support for the continued implementation and enforcement of the 2008 Vessel Speed Rule. As detailed in the attached letter, we are opposed to NMFS's shortsighted plan to roll back the Vessel Speed Rule and ask the agency to abandon its plan to issue a deregulatory proposed rule. Should the agency decide to move forward with a proposed rule, we urge NMFS to proceed transparently, with robust public participation grounded in the best available science that ensures a future for this population. Thank you for considering these comments, Melissa Edmonds, M.E.M. Marine Scientist Animal Welfare Institute

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Abstract

NMFS is considering deregulatory action to modify and modernize the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule. The goal of this initiative is to reduce unnecessary regulatory and economic burdens on the regulated community by replacing current seasonal speed restrictions with alternative management areas and advanced, technology-based, strike-avoidance measures that maintain or enhance conservation efficacy for the endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis).

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Co-filers (5)

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