New spending bill mandates NOAA to enforce speed limits for boaters to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales.

A new spending bill has set conditions for NOAA Fisheries to implement speed limits on more boaters to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales. The bill would require NOAA to engage with stakeholders and incorporate relevant comments before finalizing its rule to prevent vessel strikes. This includes the U.S. Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration, and NOAA to collaborate with other federal agencies to develop new technologies to better track the movement of whales. Funding for a pilot program and a research and development initiative will also be included in NOAA’s budget request for fiscal 2025.