New Right Whale Slow Zone: Southeast of Portland, Maine

Effective Through December 6

NOAA Fisheries announces a voluntary Right Whale Slow Zone (acoustic trigger). On November 21, 2023, the Northern Gulf of Maine Slocum glider operated by the University of Maine and NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center detected the presence of right whales southeast of Portland, ME. The Right Whale Slow Zone is in effect through December 6, 2023.

As a reminder, six 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 (DMAs) and Acoustic Slow Zones where right whales have been detected. Please visit our website for more information.

Southeast of Portland, ME Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective November 21-December 6, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°36' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°56' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 68°48' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 69°43' W

East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective November 20-December 5, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°38' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°58' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°13' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°04' W

East of Atlantic City, NJ Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective November 17-December 2, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°52' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°12' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°07' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°59' W

East of Portland, ME #2 DMA Slow Zone: Effective November 16-December 1, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°40' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°02' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 68°10' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 69°02' W

Northern Outerbanks DMA Slow Zone: Effective November 15-30, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°33' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 35°53' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 75°20' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 76°10' W

The Northern Outerbanks DMA does not apply to any inshore waters. 

East of Portland, ME Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective November 13-28, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°44' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°05' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 68°10' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 69°05' W

Northeast of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective November 11-26, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°29' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°50' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°50' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°40' W

Active Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs)

Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect for vessels 65 feet or larger in the following areas:

• Mid-Atlantic U.S. SMAs (Nov. 1 - Apr. 30)
• Southeast U.S. SMAs (Nov. 15 - Apr. 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 GARFO Public Affairs