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On April 18, 2022, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center aerial survey team and Boston Harbor Cruises whale watch detected the presence of right whales East of Boston. The SLOW Zones are in effect through May 3, 2022.
VOLUNTARY Right whale "SLOW Zone" AREAS
As a reminder, two additional SLOW Zones are also currently in effect.
Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the following Acoustic SLOW Zones and Dynamic Management Areas (DMAs) where persistent aggregations of right whales have been detected.
Please visit www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike for more information.
- South of Portsmouth, NH, expires on April 27, 2022.
- Southwest of Nantucket, MA, expires on April 20, 2022.
East of Boston #1, MA DMA SLOW Zone: Effective April 18-May 3, 2022
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°40' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°02' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 70°18' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 71°17' W
East of Boston #2, MA DMA SLOW Zone: Effective April 18-May 3, 2022
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°33' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°55' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 70°08' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 71°02' W
South of Portsmouth, NH DMA SLOW Zone: Effective April 12-27, 2022
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°02' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°22' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 70°11' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 71°05' W
Southwest of Nantucket, MA DMA SLOW Zone: Effective April 5-20, 2022
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°25' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°49' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°50' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°38' W
 Active Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs)
Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect in the following areas:
- Great South Channel SMA
- Off Race Point SMA
- Cape Cod Bay SMA
- Mid-Atlantic U.S. SMAs
Give Right Whales Room
North Atlantic right whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. If seen, remember that approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal and state law.
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 fewer than 350 individuals 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 Information
Details and graphics of all of all vessel strike management zones currently in effect.
Download the Whale Alert app for iPad and iPhone for real time updates on Slow Zones, SMAs, and other right whale sightings.
Recent right whale sightings and real-time acoustic detections along the eastern seaboard.
Find out more about our right whale conservation efforts and the researchers behind those efforts.
Spread the Word!
All boaters from Maine to Virginia, or interested parties, can sign up for email or text notifications about the latest Right Whale Slow Zones. You can also follow us on Facebook (@NOAAFisheriesNEMA) and Twitter (@NOAAFish_GARFO) for announcements.
Share our video on Right Whale Slow Zones.
Questions?
Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, (978) 281-9103
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