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NOAA Fisheries announces the annual opening of a Seasonal Management Area (SMA) Off Race Point, MA to protect North Atlantic right whales starting on March 1, 2023. All vessels 65 feet or longer must travel at 10 knots or less in this area to reduce the threat of vessel collisions with these endangered whales. The Off Race Point SMA is in effect through April 30, 2023.
Because vessels of all sizes can strike and injure a right whale, NOAA Fisheries also encourages vessels less than 65 feet in length to slow down to 10 knots or less within active SMAs.
OFF RACE POINT SMA:
Waters bounded by:
42°04'56.5"N, 070°12'W
42°12'N, 070°12'W
42°12'N, 070°30'W
42°30'N, 070°30'W
42°30'N, 069°45'W
41°40'N, 069°45'W then due west back to shore.
OTHER ACTIVE SEASONAL MANAGEMENT AREAS:
- Cape Cod Bay SMA (January 1-May 15)
- Mid-Atlantic U.S. SMAs (November 1-April 30)
- Southeast U.S. SMAs (November 15-April 15)
 DETAILS AND GRAPHICS OF ALL SHIP STRIKE MANAGEMENT ZONES CURRENTLY IN EFFECT.
DOWNLOAD THE WHALE ALERT APP FOR iPAD AND iPHONE.
STAY UPDATED:
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.
FOR RECENT RIGHT WHALE SIGHTINGS, VISIT:
www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/surveys/
APPROACHING A RIGHT WHALE CLOSER THAN 500 YARDS IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW. PLEASE REPORT ALL RIGHT WHALE SIGHTINGS TO: 866-755-NOAA (6622)
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