Noaa plans to weaken ship speed rules that protect critically endangered north atlantic right whales

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is preparing to roll back vessel speed restrictions designed to protect North Atlantic right whales, one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals with fewer than 400 individuals remaining. The agency announced plans for “deregulatory-focused” changes that would reduce what it calls “unnecessary regulatory and economic burdens” while claiming to maintain conservation protections.

Current federal rules require large ships to slow down in certain areas and seasons to prevent deadly collisions with these massive whales along the East Coast. Ship strikes represent a leading cause of death for the species, which has been struggling to recover from near-extinction. NOAA says the new approach will instead rely on “advanced technologies, engineering approaches, and other modern tools” to safeguard the whales, though specific details remain unclear.

Environmental groups are strongly opposing the proposed changes, pointing to the recent confirmed death of a 3-year-old female right whale off Virginia’s coast in February. While the cause of that whale’s death has not yet been determined, conservationists argue that weakening proven speed restrictions puts the entire species at greater risk when every individual matters for survival.

The timing of NOAA’s announcement has raised concerns among marine biologists and whale advocates, who worry that prioritizing shipping industry interests over species protection could accelerate the decline of North Atlantic right whales. The agency has promised to release more detailed information about the proposed rule changes in the coming weeks.