There is still time to comment on rule proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that, if enacted by the Biden-Harris Administration, would devastate businesses and tourism along the North Carolina coast.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) said in a press release that due to continued public interest, its Division of Coastal Management (DCM) received an extension from NOAA to conclude the division’s review of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources federal consistency submission regarding the proposed amendments to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule (“speed rule”). The comment period was scheduled to end at 5 pm on July 31 but has now been extended until 5 pm on Aug. 31.

The North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) Vessel Strike Reduction Rule would restrict vessels greater than or equal to 35 feet (10.7 m) and less than 65 feet (19.8 m) in length to 10 knots (roughly 11 mph) along much of the Eastern Seaboard during the whales’ migration and calving season, from November to May.

The rule would wreak havoc up and down the Eastern Seaboard from Massachusetts to Florida, including North Carolina.

Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), told Carolina Journal earlier this year that NARW would put 812,000 jobs at risk and have a tremendous impact on the $84 billion coastal economy,

That includes the recreational boating industry’s $9.1 billion impact in North Carolina, which includes over 1,000 businesses and 28,000 jobs, including Regulator Marine of Edenton, and Bass Pro Shops and White River Marine Group, which purchased Hatteras, Inc. of New Bern.  

Hugelmeyer added that there are 384,000 registered boats in North Carolina, with annual boat sales revenue reaching into the billions of dollars — and that’s without including the economic impact of tourism.

The federal rule would also shut down all fishing tournaments during the migration time frame and create downstream impacts on restaurants and hotels. 

One of the businesses threatened by the proposed regulation is Fishin’ Frenzy, owned and operated by Capt. Greg Mayer of Nags Head. Fishin’ Frenzy runs offshore fishing charters out of the Oregon Inlet year-round. His charter fishing business was featured for a decade on National Geographic’s Wicked Tuna. 

Mayer currently runs 150-200 trips a year, traveling 35-50 miles offshore at 20-23 knots, each trip, for a 10-hour charter. If the whale rule took effect, that 10-hour trip would turn into 14 hours, taking 25-30% of his business with it, and adding costs to each trip. 

Mayer said the rule would affect not only his business, but also have a ripple effect on fuel sales, bait sales, tackle, mechanics, and more. Like any node of commercial activity, fishing along the Carolina coast is just one part of an interconnected economy.

Written comments should be mailed to Daniel Govoni, Federal Consistency Coordinator, 400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City, NC 28557, or emailed to [email protected]. Please put “North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule” in the subject line.

All comments will be considered in developing the state’s federal consistency response. Upon request, notice of the decision regarding this matter will be provided.

Hugelmeyer also advises anyone who is concerned about the rule taking effect to call their member of Congress or the White House.