Why It Matters: Recreational anglers gather in marinas and public boat launches along the Atlantic Coast year-round to explore the open seas in pursuit of their preferred saltwater game species. In doing so, these recreational anglers generate hundreds of millions of dollars through the American System of Conservation Funding each year that is utilized to conserve our time-honored traditions for years to come. However, a proposed rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would implement a 10-knot (11 mph) speed limit for all vessels 35-feet and longer during certain times of the year along most of the Atlantic Coast, which would negatively impact thousands of boaters and anglers and coastal economies.
Highlights:
- Recently, bipartisan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Leaders under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) umbrella from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia submitted comment letters encouraging their respective state agencies to find the proposed NARW vessel strike reduction rule not consistent with their state’s enforceable policies under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA).
- State agencies that are responsible for managing their state’s CZMA program in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia recently objected to the proposed NARW Vessel Strike Reduction Rule, finding the proposed rule inconsistent with enforceable policies under the CZMA.
Whether you are an avid saltwater angler or casual recreational boater, your ability to enjoy your valued time on the water would be severely impacted by the proposed North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. A blanket speed restriction on all boats 35-feet and longer along most of the Atlantic Coast would impact thousands of boaters and anglers. Additionally, the proposed rule would negatively impact a booming coastal economy surrounding recreational fishing and boating. Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia generated a combined $116 million in fishing license sales and excise taxes on fishing equipment and marine fuels in 2023 alone.
The overall consensus among these East Coast states to object to the proposed NARW Vessel Strike Reduction Rule should come as welcome news to recreational boaters and anglers. Each letter shared several justifications for objecting to the proposed rule including: lack of scientific, economic, and sociological information, negative economic impacts, extended travel times, reduced fishing time, increased trip costs, and reduced boater safety and maneuverability while on the water. Many of the objections cited by these state agencies were echoed in recent letters submitted by East Coast Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Leaders.
The proposed NARW Vessel Strike Reduction Rule is still in the final stages of the rule making process with the White House Office of Management and Budget. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) will continue to work closely with Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Leaders along the East Coast to oppose the rule while advocating for more effective NARW conservation measures through the use of technological solutions.
