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

Dear NOAA, Please accept these 18,495 public comments from members and activists of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in reference to Docket # 260227-0058. I urge you not to undo federal vessel speed protections that safeguard North Atlantic right whales, one of our nation's most endangered marine mammals. These proven, science-based protections have been in place for almost two decades, slowing large commercial ships down to speeds of 10 knots or less in important right whale habitat — and they have had no impact on economic activity in East Coast ports. The population of North Atlantic right whales has been declining significantly, and ship strikes particularly hurt vulnerable mothers and their calves that spend more time at the surface and are relatively close to shore. This is on top of other serious threats that right whales already face like fishing gear entanglement and climate change. Ship speed protections work and are widely recognized as a best practice for protecting whales by scientists and the shipping industry. There's no proof that technology can deliver the same level of protection as simply slowing vessels down. It is reckless to gamble with the future of one of the nation's most endangered whales. Thank you. Sincerely, Margaret Tran Ramadhar National Digital Advocacy Campaign Manager, NRDC