March 17, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries announces a new voluntary vessel speed restriction zone (Dynamic Management Area or DMA) east of Boston.
On March 14, 2020 a marine mammal observer reported an aggregation of right whales 18 nautical miles east of Boston, MA.
There are now three voluntary slow speed zones in place to protect right whales, as well as three mandatory zones.
Mariners, please go around these areas or go slow (10 knots or less) inside these areas where groups of right whales have been sighted.
The new East of Boston DMA is in effect through March 29, 2020.
42 45 N
42 04 N
070 11 W
071 10W
The DMAs off Nantucket are in effect through March 27, 2020.
Southeast of Nantucket
41 02 N
40 15 N
068 58 W
070 01 W
South of Nantucket DMA
41 11 N
40 22 N
069 32 W
070 37 W
Active Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs)
A mandatory speed restriction of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) is in effect in the following areas:
Mid-Atlantic: November 1-April 30
Cape Cod Bay: January 1-May 15
Off Race Point: March 1-April 30
More info on Seasonal Management Areas
Right Whales Are Migrating
North Atlantic right whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. NOAA is cautioning boaters and fishermen to give these endangered whales plenty of room. We are also asking all fishermen to be vigilant when maneuvering to avoid accidental collisions with whales and remove unused gear from the ocean to help avoid entanglements. Commercial fishermen should use vertical lines with required markings, weak links, and breaking strengths.
Right Whales in Trouble
North Atlantic right whales are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Scientists estimate there are only about 400 remaining, making them one of the rarest marine mammals in the world.
North Atlantic right whales are NOAA Fisheries’ newest Species in the Spotlight. This initiative is a concerted, agency-wide effort to spotlight and save marine species that are among the most at risk of extinction in the near future.
In August 2017, NOAA Fisheries declared the increase in right whale mortalities an “Unusual Mortality Event,” which helps the agency direct additional scientific and financial resources to investigating, understanding, and reducing the mortalities in partnership with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and outside experts from the scientific research community.
More Information
Find out more about our right whale conservation efforts and the researchers behind those efforts.
Download the Whale Alert app for iPad and iPhone
Acoustic detections in Cape Cod Bay and the Boston TSS
Send a blank message to receive a return email listing all current U.S. DMAs and SMAs.
Details and graphics of all ship strike management zones currently in effect.
Reminder: Approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal and state law.