Billion-Dollar Fishing and Recreational Industries at Risk with NOAA's Proposed Vessel Speed Regulations

Published: Saturday, November 5, 2022 12:00 pm
By: Tiara Yachts

Holland, MI – Tiara Yachts unites with marine industry leaders to halt a proposed change by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) vessel speed rule. If adopted, the change will restrict boating and fishing capabilities and critically disrupt the $170 billion industry.

The proposed rule would expand the current seasonal speed restrictions of 10 knots (about 11.5 miles per hour) or less in designated areas for vessels over 65 feet in length to vessels over 35 feet. NOAA projects only 9,200 registered boats will be impacted by this rule change, while other parties have estimated this number to be a staggering 63,000 boats. In addition to the economic impact, vessel safety could be at risk when considering how recreational boats operate. In many cases, a 10-knot restriction will impede a boat’s maneuverability, hinder the operator’s visibility and negates the ability to outrun inclement weather.

“The impact of this proposal will bring great unnecessary harm to local economies and small businesses around the U.S., while not providing the best solution to the problem,” said Tom Slikkers, President and CEO of Tiara Yachts and National Marine Manufacturers Association Board Member. “It’s crucial to both the recreational boating industry and the fishing industry that NOAA reconsider this rule change and that we seek out alternatives to address the environmental outlook.”

The marine industry is working to decelerate the rule change and propose alternative solutions. Leaders gathered at a press conference hosted by the Viking Yacht Company at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Groups such as NMMA and its partners are urging NOAA to pause its rulemaking and engage with key stakeholders before continuing. The hope is that these actions will open dialogue and prevent a change that will have economic consequences and ultimately impact jobs. Some alternatives the community has discussed include real-time monitoring of right whales through tagging, acoustic detection, pushing location information to operators, development of avoidance technology, outreach/education and increasing compliance with existing regulations. These alternatives are far more manageable by the industry while still prioritizing the North Atlantic right whale’s safety.

For more on the NMMA’s efforts to pause the administration’s rulemaking, visit NMMA’s website.