Okaloosa County Commission wary of proposed Rice's whale conservation plan

Collin Bestor, Northwest Florida Daily News
Updated ·4 min read

Editor's note: This story has been revised to correct the spelling of Anne Hinze's name.

SHALIMAR — On Monday, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners held an emergency meeting to discuss several organizations' plans to introduce a mandatory 10-knot speed limit in the Gulf of Mexico to curb the impact on Rice's whales in the area.

The meeting was held so the public could raise any concerns about the proposal. Then the County Commission could notify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The petition was submitted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Healthy Gulf, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice and New England Aquarium.

What are Rice's whales?

Found to be a specific species in 2021, Rice's whales can be found roaming the waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. The species has been listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and is protected by the United States Endangered Species Act.

There are believed to be fewer than 50 whales still alive. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill was believed to have removed about 20% of the whale population.

Proposed slow-down zone

The main conservation method in the proposal is the introduction of an annual slow-down zone where all boats, regardless of size, would have to maintain a 10-knot speed limit.

The map of the proposed slow-down zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
The map of the proposed slow-down zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

In the slow-down zone, all vessels must go no faster than 10 knots within waters between 100 and 400 meters deep.

Along with the speed limit, all vessels must follow the additional rule:

  • No transits at night

  • Vessels passing through the zone must report their plans to NOAA, have trained observers, and maintain a separation distance of 500 meters from Rice's whales.

  • Use and operate an Automatic Identification System or notify NOAA of transits through the zone.

  • Report all non-compliance to NOAA within 24 hours.

Why was there a delayed hearing?

The public comments on the issue began in April of this year, and county commission Chairman Trey Goodwin was aware of the issues of Rice's whales as they pertained to Eglin Air Force Base.

Escambia County: 10-knot offshore speed zone could protect rare whale, but make boat trips very, very slow

Last week, he received an e-mail from a group called "Keep America Fishing" and said he "almost fell out of his chair when looking at the map."

From there, he got the process moving to call an emergency county commission meeting.

"I wish I knew earlier," Goodwin said.

The Gulf of Mexico whale or Rice's whale was only identified as a unique species last year. Scientists estimate there are fewer than 50 still surviving.
The Gulf of Mexico whale or Rice's whale was only identified as a unique species last year. Scientists estimate there are fewer than 50 still surviving.

Public concerns expressed at the meeting

"Our family, like many families, make their living on the Gulf," said Anne Hinze, whose husband, Michael, is captain of the Jumping Monkey. "While we feel sympathetic to the cause of the Rice's whale, the limitation proposed by NOAA in the petition will cause undue stress on everything from commercial fishing... to recreational fishing."

She went on to tell the commission that if this proposal is enacted, it could be the final "nail in the coffin" for many of the local businesses that rely on fishing to make a living.

Parker Destin, who owns Dewey Destin's Seafood restaurant, echoed Hensey's comments. He also noted that the fishing industry is part of Okaloosa County's heritage, and it needs to be protected so that it can continue.

Okaloosa County commissioners' comments

"I'm with the fishermen," said Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel. "This is the most frustrating policy. I cannot believe we even have to consider this."

"The impacts of this policy are far and wide wrong for Northwest Florida, Okaloosa County and the Gulf Coast," said Commissioner Mel Ponder

He went on to commend the local fishing community for following conservation practices, such as the effort to protect red snapper. Ponder said the effect of the proposed slow-down zone would be "too detrimental to the local economy."

Chairman Goodwin brought up the fact that this policy would affect the fish-attracted devices (FAD) that the county has implemented.

"All eight FADs fall within the core habitat," said Alex Fogg, who is the coastal resource manager of Okaloosa County. "If this were to pass, it wouldn't be a 12-hour trip; it would be a multi-day trip."

Along with the FADs, the county also has deployed numerous artificial reefs in the water. According to Fogg, half of the artificial reefs fall in the proposed slow-down zone.

Fogg said, "With the lack of evidence that shows vessels are impacting the species, I don't think a slowdown would have the impact they think it would."

What's next?

Toward the end of the meeting, the county commission approved a resolution to sign a unified letter to NOAA in opposition to the proposed initiative.

The public comment hearing window ends July 6. Anyone who wishes to add a comment can do so at https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/NOAA-NMFS-2023-0027-0001

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Okaloosa County Commission: Rice's whale protection plan goes too far