Article

Viking Yacht Company and key boating and fishing industry leaders will hold a press conference at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on Friday, October 28, at 9 a.m. at the Viking display at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center’s D-Dock.

The press conference will focus on the proposed North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule, which would have numerous negative impacts on the recreational boating and fishing industry by broadening the current 10-knot limit to include boats 35 feet and larger (down from 65 feet) and expanding the slow zones to essentially the entire Atlantic Coast as far as out 100 miles from shore.

Leaders of marine organizations, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association, International Game Fish Association, BoatU.S., Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Recreational Fishing Alliance, The Billfish Foundation and others, will stand with Viking President and CEO Pat Healey to demand NOAA stop the rule’s advancement until reasonable alternatives are developed to protect the right whale without crippling the marine industry.

Boat and engine manufacturers are encouraged to join the October 28 press conference. “We want to build a coalition and show a united front,” said Pat Healey, Viking President and CEO. “Please join us because this is a very serious threat to our industry.”

“NOAA’s proposed rule severely underestimates the financial impacts on the recreational fishing and boating industry, the largest contributing sector to America’s $689 billion outdoor recreation economy,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “NOAA must pause implementation of its rule and incorporate key stakeholder feedback and data. Without serious revisions, the economic health of coastal communities, small marine business – and those businesses who rely on a robust fishing and boating economy – as well as thousands of jobs along the East Coast are at-risk.”

RSVP for the press conference at this link.

Industry stakeholders are encourage to submit comment to NOAA ahead of the October 31 filing deadline, asking the agency pause its rule implementation until it meets with impacted stakeholders. Take action here.

For questions or additional information surrounding the press conference, please contact Emma Boone at [email protected]