New Right Whale Slow Zone: East of Virginia Beach, Virginia

Effective Through December 23

NOAA Fisheries announces a voluntary Right Whale Slow Zone (acoustic trigger). On December 8, 2023, the Norfolk buoy operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and University of South Carolina detected the presence of right whales east of Virginia Beach, VA. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through December 23, 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 (DMAs) and Acoustic Slow Zones where right whales have been detected. Please visit our website for more information.

East of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 8-23, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°03' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°23' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 75°04' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°53' W

Northeast of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 3-18, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°29' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°50' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°50' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°40' W

East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 3-18, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°38' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°58' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°13' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°04' W

South of Outer Banks DMA Slow Zone: Effective November 30-December 15, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 35°13' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 34°34' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 75°47' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 76°36' W

East of Atlantic City, NJ #2 Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective November 27-December 12, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°38' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°58' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°33' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°25' W

East of Portland, ME Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective November 25-December 10, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°44' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°05' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 68°10' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 69°05' 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

Endangered North Atlantic right whales are approaching extinction. There are approximately 360 individuals remaining, including fewer than 70 reproductively active females. The population continues to decline at an unsustainable rate, due to human impacts.

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