WHALE Act

This bill blocks the U.S. Commerce and Interior Departments from implementing new vessel speed or operational restrictions in the Gulf of Mexico's oil and gas areas until they complete a required study. The study must assess impacts on Rice's whales' habitat and prove such restrictions won't harm energy production, military readiness, fishing, or maritime commerce. It also mandates that any future "mitigation protocols" for whale protection cannot include nighttime transit bans or speed limits. The bill directly affects Gulf oil/gas leasing, development, and marine conservation efforts by delaying potential regulatory changes.