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On January 15, 2023, the Ocean City buoy operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science detected the presence of right whales east of Ocean City, MD. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through January 30, 2023.
As a reminder, five additional Slow Zones are also currently in effect. Locations and effective dates are listed below.
VOLUNTARY Right whale "Slow Zone" AREAS
Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the following Dynamic Management Areas (DMA) and Acoustic Slow Zones where right whales have been detected. Please visit our website for more information.
East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 15-30, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°38' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°58' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°13' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°04' W
Southeast of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 11-26, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°04' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°20' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°05' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°02' W
Southwest of Nantucket, MA #2 DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 8-23, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°25' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°43' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°47' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°44' W
South of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 8-23, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°04' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°24' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°44' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°36' W
Southeast of New York City, NY Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 6-21, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°35' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°56' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 72°47' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°40' W
Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 6-21, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°25' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°44' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°44' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°36' 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:
- Cape Cod Bay U.S. SMA (January 1 to May 15)
- Mid-Atlantic U.S SMAs (November 1 to April 30).
- Southeast U.S. SMAs (November 15 to April 15).
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, iPhone, and Android 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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