To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective.

Key Points

• This bill would delay new federal fishing rules meant to protect the North Atlantic right whale. Under current law, these rules are set to start in 2028, but this change would push that date back to 2035.
• The policy mainly affects lobster and crab fishers in New England. These workers have argued that the proposed gear requirements are too expensive and could force many small fishing businesses to close down.
• Supporters say the extra time is needed to invent better fishing gear that does not tangle whales. It also gives researchers more time to track where the whales are moving as ocean temperatures change.
• Environmental groups often worry that delaying these rules puts the whales at risk. There are very few North Atlantic right whales left, and some experts fear they could go extinct if protections are not put in place soon.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.