Trump administration considering looser protections for North Atlantic right whale

March 3 (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Tuesday took the first step toward loosening regulations that protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale from vessel strikes.

Here are some details:

• The National Marine Fisheries Service said it is considering replacing seasonal vessel speed restrictions with whale management areas and technology-based measures to avoid vessel strikes.

• There are about 380 North Atlantic right whales. Their main threats to survival include entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with vessels, the agency said.

• NMFS, a division of the Commerce Department, is seeking information and comments for 90 days.

• During the Biden administration, NMFS proposed to toughen vessel speed restrictions, but the rule was never finalized.