Two New Vessel Speed Restriction Zones South of Nantucket to Protect Right Whales
NOAA Fisheries announces two new voluntary vessel speed restriction zones (Dynamic Management Areas or DMAs) have been triggered.
On May 15, New England Aquarium's aerial survey observed an aggregation of right whales 55 nautical miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The following day, May 16, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center survey spotted an aggregation of whales 75 nautical miles southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
These two are in addition to two current voluntary vessel speed restriction zones, one southwest and one south of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, for a total of four.
Mariners are requested to route around these areas or transit through them at 10 knots or less. Whales were spotted in or near shipping lanes so please be especially vigilant when traveling in these areas.
Southeast of Nantucket DMA in effect through May 31, 2019
40 48 N
40 05 N
068 24 W
069 20 W
South of Nantucket DMA in effect through May 30, 2019
40 44 N
40 04 N
070 01 W
070 51 W
South of Martha's Vineyard DMA in effect through May 23, 2019
40 47 N
40 07 N
070 29 W
071 22 W
Southwest of Martha's Vineyard DMA in effect through May 22, 2019
40 39 N
39 59 N
070 56 W
071 47 W
Active Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs)
A mandatory speed restriction of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) is in effect in the Great South Channel through July 31.
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. With an unprecedented 20 right whale deaths documented in 2017 and 2018, NOAA is cautioning boaters to give these endangered whales plenty of room. We are also asking commercial fishermen to be vigilant when maneuvering to avoid accidental collisions with whales, remove unused gear from the ocean to help avoid entanglements, and 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 slightly more than 400 remaining, making them one of the rarest marine mammals in the world.
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 Info
Recent right whale sightings
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.
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