WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott issued a statement following an announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that its fisheries division has halted consideration of a rule to place overly-restrictive rules on boaters in Florida’s Gulf of Mexico, including a 10 knot speed limit. Senator Scott has been calling on NOAA to reject the proposed Rice’s Whale Rule and fully consider its impacts to local families and America’s national security, with special consideration given to the viability of the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range, which the U.S. Air Force uses to test the military’s most advanced capabilities, including hypersonic weapons, and is vital for any future conflict with Communist China, Iran or Russia.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Today’s decision by NOAA comes after months of fighting to protect Florida and America’s national security from more burdensome regulation in Washington. This big win is a great step toward stopping Biden’s short-sighted rule impacting a huge portion of Florida’s Gulf Coast with ridiculous limitations on our military training in the area and threats of fines and prison time for Florida’s boaters and fishermen for going over 10 knots. For months, I’ve been calling on NOAA to reject this proposed rule, which was not based upon scientific research substantiating the proposed restrictions, and find a better way to look after the Rice’s Whale. As part of that, I made sure that the Senate version of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included an assessment of the proposed rule’s impact on military activities and any negative impacts on U.S. national security and military preparedness in the Gulf of Mexico. While this news is great for Florida, the fight is not over. We cannot allow the Biden administration to continue putting Florida and our military readiness at risk, and I’ll use my position on the Senate Armed Services Committee to hold Biden accountable.”

For months, Senator Scott has been urging President Biden to stop this proposed rule, see more in his June letter to the president HERE. As part of the Senate-passed 2024 NDAA, Senator Scott, member of the Armed Services Committee, also fought for and secured an assessment of the Biden administration’s NOAA Rice’s Whale Rule, which would implement a 10 knot speed limit and prohibit nighttime sailing in the Gulf, to ensure bureaucracy and red tape do not negatively impact Florida’s robust commerce and shipping industry as well as military preparedness. Read more about the NDAA HERE.

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