New Right Whale Slow Zone: NE Atlantic City, NJ

Effective Through April 6

On March 22, 2024, the NOAA North Atlantic Right Whale Sighting Survey detected the presence of right whales northeast of Atlantic City, NJ. The slow zone is in effect through April 6, 2024.

As a reminder, four 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.

Northeast of Atlantic City, NJ DMA Slow Zone: Effective March 22-April 6, 2024

Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°03' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°23' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°29' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°21' W

Southeast of New York, NY Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective March 20-April 4, 2024

Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°35' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°56' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 72°47' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°40' W

East of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective March 18-April 2, 2024

Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°39' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°55' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°02' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°03' W

East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective March 14-29, 2024

Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°38' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°58' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°13' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°04' W

Southwest of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective March 13-28, 2024

Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°13' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°33' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°53' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°50' 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)Cape Cod Bay SMA (Jan. 1-May 15)Off Race Point SMA (Mar. 1- Apr. 30)
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.