Georgia Mountain News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) testified before the House Natural Resources Committee in favor of his bipartisan bill to delay funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed speed restrictions for boats 35’ to 65’. The proposed restrictions aim to protect North Atlantic right whales but have raised concerns about safety risks for commercial vessels, potential job losses, and economic impacts.

H.R. 8704, first introduced in June 2023 with Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK), includes the creation of a grant program to develop and deploy technology reducing interactions between ocean users and large cetaceans.

Rep. Carter stated, "This bill would first and foremost stop NOAA from finalizing the expanded vessel speed restriction rule first proposed in 2022, keeping the current rules in place."

The proposed rule requires vessels between 35 and 65 feet in length to maintain a speed of roughly 11.5 mph when in waters inhabited by right whales. Carter argued that this presents safety issues for recreational and pilot vessels.

He added, "It creates a new grant program to encourage the development and deployment of technology to reduce vessel strikes of endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale."

Carter emphasized balancing whale protection with public safety and economic needs: "Unfortunately, if this rule goes into effect, boaters who use 35' or larger vessels will simply not take fishing trips... That’s why the rule threatens 27,000 direct and indirect jobs in Georgia related to recreational fishing and boating."

Clay Diamond, Executive Director of the American Pilots’ Association, supported Carter's stance: “NOAA's proposal was not well thought out... This legislation would eliminate these risks by forcing NOAA to modernize its approach.”

Jeff Angers from the Center for Sportfishing Policy criticized NOAA's delayed adoption of technological solutions: “Representatives Carter and Peltola light the way forward while NOAA keeps its head in the sand.”

Jeff Crane from Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation praised H.R. 8704: “We very much appreciate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Members Congressman Buddy Carter and Congresswoman Mary Peltola for introducing legislation that will do more to foster enhanced coexistence between ocean users and North Atlantic right whales than anything to date.”

MRAA President Matt Gruhn highlighted industry support: “The pause in implementation put forth by this legislation is a major relief for these small businesses during an already tough year.”

ASA President Glenn Hughes endorsed focusing on technology solutions: “By focusing on technology solutions, we can reduce harmful interactions between whales and ocean users while also keeping anglers and boaters safe on the water.”

Frank Hugelmeyer from NMMA commended bipartisan efforts: “Advanced marine technologies can better protect the North Atlantic right whale than NOAA’s archaic... vessel speed rule.”

Cosponsors for H.R. 8704 include Reps. Mary Peltola (D-AK), Austin Scott (R-GA), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Garret Graves (R-LA), Robert Wittman (R-VA), Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA), David Rouzer (R-NC), and Russell Fry (R-SC).

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