John DePersenaire of Viking Yachts spoke with host Mike Leonard about a proposed regulation to limit vessel speeds along a vast swath of the Atlantic coast. The proposed regulation, in NOAA Fisheries' words, "would expand mandatory speed restrictions to include vessels 35 to 65 feet long and broaden seasonal speed restriction zones." NOAA Fisheries said the proposed changes are part of the federal agency's attempt to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales.
The recreational fishing community fully supports protecting North Atlantic right whales, but believes there are far more effective ways to help the species. Speed restrictions are difficult to enforce and vessel strikes are incredibly rare. This regulation would negatively impact various stakeholders, including the recreational fishing and boating community, while likely doing little to help North Atlantic right whales in a meaningful way.
Submit comments on the rule here.
For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/
