WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–December 6, 2013. The National Marine Fisheries Service today finalized a rule that will make permanent existing speed limits for large ships along the U.S. East Coast to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The current speed limit rule, which requires ships 65 feet long and longer to slow to 10 knots (about 11 miles per hour) in areas and at times when right whales are present, was set to expire next Monday. The Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society of the United States, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and Defenders of Wildlife petitioned the Fisheries Service in June 2012 to make the ship speed limit rule permanent.
