December 2nd, 2016 — NOAA Fisheries is warning boaters to watch out for the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whales.
The whales are now migrating south for the winter and to help protect them, NOAA fisheries has designated several Seasonal Management Areas along the U.S. East Coast.
In the areas, which include Block Island, the Ports of New York/New Jersey and the entrance to Delaware Bay, vessels greater than 65 feet in length must not exceed speeds of 10 knots, through April.
The purpose of the regulation is to reduce the likelihood of deaths and serious injuries to the endangered whales that result from collisions with ships.