Effective Through February 16 and 17
On February 1, 2025, the Cape Charles buoy operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and NAVFAC Atlantic redetected the presence of right whales northeast of Virginia Beach,VA. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through February 16, 2025.
Additionally, on February 2, 2025, the New York Bight NW buoy operated by the WHOI detected the presence of right whales southeast of New York, NY. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through February 17, 2025.
As a reminder, nine 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 New York, NY Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective February 2 - 17, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°41' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°01' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°03' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°55' W
Northeast of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective February 1 - 16, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°29' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°50' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°49' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°40' W
East of Atlantic City, NJ Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 31 - February 15, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°56' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°16' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°02' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°54' W
East of Outer Banks, NC DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 30 - February 14, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°37' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 35°55' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°43' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°33' W
Southwest of Nantucket, MA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 29 - February 13, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°20' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°40' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°53' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°46' W
Northeast of Ocean City, MD DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 27 - February 11, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°01' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°16' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°07' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°06' W
East of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 27 - February 11, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°02' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°23' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 75°03' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°53' W
Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 26 - February 10, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°25' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°44' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°44' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°36' W
East of Virginia Beach, VA #2 DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 25 - February 9, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°16' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°36' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°55' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°44' W
East of Portsmouth, NH DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 22 - February 6, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°19' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°34' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°37' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°40' W
South of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 19 - February 3, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°07' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°28' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°40' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°39' 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:
Mid-Atlantic U.S. SMAs (Nov 1 - Apr 30)
Southeast U.S. SMAs (Nov 15 - Apr 15)
Cape Cod Bay SMA (Jan 1 - May 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. Human impacts continue to threaten the survival of this species.
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 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.
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