Oceana Finds Most Vessels Exceeding Speed Limits in Areas Designed to Protect Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales Along U.S. Atlantic Coast
Washington, July 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Oceana released a new report finding that most vessels are exceeding speed limits in areas designed to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, of which only around 360 remain. Oceana analyzed vessel speeds from 2017 to 2020 in speed zones established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) along the U.S. Atlantic coast, and found non-compliance was as high as almost 90% in mandatory speed zones, and non-cooperation was as high as almost 85% in voluntary areas.
- Washington, July 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Oceana released a new report finding that most vessels are exceeding speed limits in areas designed to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, of which only around 360 remain.
- Collisions with vessels are one of two leading causes of injury and death for North Atlantic right whales.
- Vessels are speeding, North Atlantic right whales are dying, and theres not enough accountability, said Whitney Webber, campaign director at Oceana.
- Oceanas analysis shows that speeding vessels are rampant throughout North Atlantic right whales migration route, all along the East Coast, and in both mandatory and voluntary speed zones.