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On April 5, 2023, the public detected the presence of right whales northeast of Boston, MA and 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 Zones are in effect through April 20, 2023.
As a reminder, three 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.
Northeast of Boston, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective April 5-April 20, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°47' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°07' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 70°28' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 71°22' W
East of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective April 5-April 20, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°03' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°23' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 75°04' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°53' W
South of Martha's Vineyard, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective March 31-April 15, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°34' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°49' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°59' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 71°03' W
South of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective March 31-April 15, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°04' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°20' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°28' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°26' W
Southeast of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective March 22-April 6, 2023
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°52' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°16' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°04' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 69°52' 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)
NOTE: MA state law requires vessels less than 65 feet to travel 10 knots or less in the Cape Cod Bay SMA from March 1 to April 30.
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 Andrea Gomez, Regional Office, 978-675-2199
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