The U.S. federal government has rescinded its proposal to strengthen regulations on boat speeds along the East Coast. Fewer vessels will be required to reduce their speed, which is likely to contribute to the extinction of the North Atlantic right whale, a species that is vulnerable to extinction and classified as endangered, according to the IUCN. The government will likely prioritize marine industries over conservation efforts in the future.
Fewer than 400 individual North Atlantic right whales remain in the wild, and their numbers continue to decline. Oceana, a conservation group based in D.C., has reported numerous collisions between North Atlantic right whales and boats. These collisions have resulted in the deaths of right whales. Therefore, regulations regarding boat speeds are crucial along the East Coast. As many whales begin to leave their protected zones in search of warmer waters, boats should take extra precautions.
