The long-awaited final North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule will likely not be finalized by the end of 2023, according to Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator of Fisheries at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This rule, which proposes to put in place a 10-knot speed limit on all vessels 35 feet or larger […]
Category: Advocacy
Briefing Held on Economic Impact of NOAA Vessel Strike Reduction Rule
On November 9, the Congressional Boating Caucus hosted a briefing on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed expansion of the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. The briefing outlined how the proposal would devastate the recreational boating and fishing industries on the Atlantic coast and the communities that depend on them. […]
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Rejects Petition to Establish Vessel Speed Zone in the Gulf of Mexico
Friday, Oct. 27, the National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration Office of Fisheries denied a petition to establish a mandatory 10-knot (11-mph) speed limit, and other vessel-related mitigation measures, to protect the endangered Rice’s whale in the Gulf of Mexico. This decision comes ahead of the highly anticipated Final Agency Action on the Proposed Amendments to […]
Gathering to Share Recreational Boating Priorities in Massachusetts
• Recreational Boating Industry Meets with Paul Jahnige, Director of Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation By Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager Last week members of the recreational boating industry met to welcome Paul Jahnige as the inaugural Director of Massachusetts’s Office of Outdoor Recreation (OREC), making the Bay State the 18th state in the […]
Wake Responsibly Educational Video Receives National ‘Seal of Safe Boating’ Award
The Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) created a new Wake Responsibly educational video that has been awarded the “Seal of Safe Boating Practices” from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), making it the first industry association to earn the achievement. The 12-minute Wake Responsibly video covers best practices, rules, regulations and recommendations […]
New West Coast Vessel Speed Restrictions on the Way?
National Marine Fisheries Service Expands Right Whale Critical Habitat in Alaska On Sept. 26, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced a revision of the Endangered North Pacific right whale critical habitat in Alaska, expanding the protected area for the species. This update comes after a petition, initially filed March 10, 2022, was put forth […]
Lake Havasu Gathering Promotes Boating Advocacy, Education
Recently, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Lake Havasu Marine Association (LHMA) met with elected officials from the Arizona State Legislature and the Lake Havasu City community to discuss various recreational boating priorities and highlight the impact recreational boating has on the local Lake Havasu City […]
MRAA, Outdoor Recreation Leaders Back Bill to Bolster Rural Communities, Outdoor Recreation Economy
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 13 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) and leading outdoor recreation organizations are backing Senator Michael Bennet and Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury’s newly-introduced Rural Outdoor Investment (ROI) Act. This bill provides much-needed support for rural communities seeking to build and plan for recreation economies. If passed, the ROI Act’s funding is […]
MRAA Advocacy Engages Avalon-Tahoe Dealers
As the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) continues to grow and work with all sectors of the industry, meshing directly with boat manufacturers is becoming an increasingly important method to engage new dealers. Presenting at dealer meetings is a great way for our team to meet potential members and highlight MRAA Membership benefits, […]
MMTA Workforce Solutions Amendment Passes in the 2023-2024 Massachusetts State Budget
Recently, Governor Maura Healey signed the 2024 state budget, which included $150,000 in funding for workforce development and career technical education initiatives within the recreational boating industry. This funding will continue the successful initiatives and progress that the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) has made over the last 5-plus years to help meet the workforce […]
