Subscribe to Marlin magazine and get a year of highly collectible, keepsake editions – plus access to the digital edition and archives. Sign up for the free Marlin email newsletter.
Last year, the recreational boating and fishing community won a major battle when NOAA withdrew its proposed expansion of vessel speed restrictions, a rule that would have placed severe limits on offshore access for many vessels along the East Coast. But that victory was not the end of the fight.
Now, the issue is back in front of NOAA, and the deadline to comment is fast approaching on June 2, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries has opened a public comment period as it reviews the 2008 North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule, which currently requires most vessels 65 feet or longer to travel at 10 knots or less in designated Seasonal Management Areas along the U.S. East Coast.
This review creates an important opportunity for boat owners, captains, marine businesses, anglers and coastal communities to make the case for a more modern approach, one that protects endangered North Atlantic right whales while also recognizing the realities of today’s offshore boating technology, vessel design and safe navigation.
NOAA is considering whether to modify the existing rule through alternative management areas and advanced, technology-based strike-avoidance measures. The agency is specifically seeking input on the effectiveness of technology, vessel-specific risk, safety-deviation provisions, economic impacts and outreach.
That matters. The 2008 rule was written before many of today’s detection, mapping, navigation and real-time alert systems were widely available. Modern sport-fishing boats are not the same as large commercial ships, and the industry has long argued that regulations should account for vessel-specific risk, onboard technology, maneuverability, offshore operating conditions and safety.
In the big-game space, Viking Yacht Company has once again taken a leadership role in combating this legislation and is urging the industry to act now by submitting public comments before the deadline.
“This review is long overdue, and now is the time for the marine industry to act,” said Viking President and CEO Pat Healey. “We need to put real-world information into the record—vessel technology, navigation tools, offshore operating conditions, vessel-size risk, safety concerns and the economic impact on coastal businesses. That is how we help make sure the rule protects whales while reflecting today’s technology, safety and access.”
The easiest way to comment is through Boating United, which has created a call-to-action page with a prewritten letter that can be submitted as-is or customized with details about your boat, electronics, safety concerns, offshore operations or business impacts. Comments may also be submitted directly through the Federal Register.
A major battle was won last year, but the war for responsible boating access is still going on. The recreational boating and fishing community cannot afford to rest on its laurels. Sending a comment only takes a few seconds, and every voice helps build the record NOAA will use as it considers the future of vessel speed regulations.
Act now. Comment before June 2. Protect your right to fish and boat responsibly.
Important Links
- Submit comments through Boating United: https://www.boatingunited.org/take-action/noaa-comment/
- Submit comments directly through NOAA/Federal Register: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendments-north-atlantic-right-whale-vessel-strike-reduction-rule
- Background Link: https://www.marlinmag.com/advocacy/noaa-withdraws-proposed-vessel-speed-rule/
- NOAA Link Seeking Additional Information: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-seeks-information-support-improvements-vessel-speed-regulations?utm_source=chatgpt.com
