Trump rescinds Rice’s Whale restrictions in Gulf of Mexico

The pro-fossil fuel Trump administration has rescinded the controversial restrictions placed on oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico, which had been introduced under President Biden’s leadership to safeguard the highly endangered Rice’s whale.

In a statement, House Majority Steve Scalise, a supporter of President Donald Trump, expressed his support for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)’s move, which he said effectively reversed Biden-era policies that he argued hampered energy exploration.

“I applaud the Trump administration for rescinding the Biden-era Rice’s Whale policy. BOEM made the right call by rescinding this misguided policy that hinders energy exploration and production,” said Scalise. He continued, stating that the measures introduced by Biden were meant to appease certain “radical progressive special interests”, while threatening the oil and gas industry.

Nearly all of the US’s offshore oil and gas production, or around 97%, comes from the GOM, making it the primary source of offshore oil and gas for the country. This translates to around 15% of total US crude oil production coming from GOM federal offshore areas. 

The rescission of the Biden-era Rice’s whale rules, which had been expected, was in alignment with Trump’s January 20 executive order, "Unleashing American Energy," which sought to eliminate what it described as burdensome regulations affecting the development and use of the nation’s natural resources.

This includes the rules which were introduced in August 2023, requiring oil and gas companies operating in the Gulf to reduce vessel speeds and deploy spotters to protect the Rice’s whale population.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Rice’s whale is one of the most endangered species, with estimates suggesting fewer than 50 individuals remain.

These whales, primarily found off the coast of Texas, have been subject to heightened protection efforts in recent years following a legal settlement with environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, the largest US environmental group in terms of membership.

The 2020 lawsuit urged the National Marine Fisheries Service to adopt more stringent measures to protect the species, which were then incorporated into Biden’s rules announced in 2023. As part of the settlement, operators were urged to keep boat speeds low and avoid nighttime travel to mitigate the risks posed by ship strikes and underwater noise.

Despite the concerns from animal advocacy groups about the whale’s survival, industry representatives welcomed the removal of the regulations.

Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, described the move as an opportunity to restore regulatory certainty and foster investment in the energy sector. "These reforms will strengthen America’s position as the global energy leader, attracting investment, creating high-quality jobs, and ensuring environmental stewardship," he stated.

The decision to rescind these protections has sparked mixed reactions. Environmental organisations, such as Defenders of Wildlife, have voiced concerns that it could further endanger the already critically threatened species.

Dan Moss, a senior official at Defenders of Wildlife, criticised the removal of these protective measures: “The Rice’s whale is essentially ‘America’s whale,’ as the only great whale species that resides year-round in the Gulf of Mexico. Steps like these undermine conservation efforts, increasing the risk of its extinction.”

The conflict over the Rice’s whale protections highlights the ongoing tension between environmental conservation and the pursuit of energy development in the Gulf.

The Trump administration’s decision is seen as a significant victory for the oil and gas industry, which has long argued that these types of regulations restrict their ability to operate effectively. However, the implications for the species, already on the brink of extinction, are likely to continue to fuel the debate between economic development and environmental preservation.

As the debate over the Rice’s whale intensifies, the oil and gas industry is likely to continue pushing for deregulation, while environmental groups will push for stronger protections to prevent further declines in the population of this endangered species.