A fight is brewing over proposed speed restrictions for vessels along the US East Coast that aim to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales, reports radio station WPRI.

Speed limits have been in place for larger boats since 2008, but changes proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2022 would expand the area and timing of seasonal speed restrictions and impose restrictions of 10 knots or less on most vessels between 35 and 65 feet in length.

Those proposals are currently being reviewed by the White House, and changes could be approved sometime this year.

However, a bill was recently introduced in Congress that, if adopted, would prohibit NOAA from capping the speed for small, recreational boats.

Buddy Carter, a Republican representative from Georgia, sponsored the bill.

"Unfortunately, if this [NOAA] rule goes into effect, boaters who use 35-foot or larger vessels will simply not be taking fishing trips, and the market will die for this kind of vessels," Carter said.

However, California Democrat Jared Huffman told the subcommittee on water, wildlife and fisheries that hearings on the proposed regulations were held a year ago.

"Since that hearing, the evidence for a stronger vessel speed rule has only grown," Huffman said.

"At least four right whales have died from vessel strikes … though we can only afford to lose less than one per year if the population is to recover, according to scientists," said Huffman.

Carter's bill remains in committee.