November 20, 2018 — NANTUCKET, Mass. — The federal government is asking mariners to slow down off of Massachusetts to help protect a severely endangered species of large whale.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says it’s applying the voluntary vessel speed restriction zone in an area 21 nautical miles south of Nantucket. The designation is intended to protect a group of four North Atlantic right whales seen in the area on Sunday.
NOAA says the speed restriction zone will be in effect until Dec. 3. Mariners are asked to avoid the area or go through it at 10 knots or less.
Read the full story from the Associated Press at the Gloucester Daily Times