On July 3, 2024, the NOAA North Atlantic Right Whale Sighting Survey detected the presence of right whales southeast of New York, NY. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through July 18, 2024.
As a reminder, two 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) where right whales have been detected. Please visit our website for more information.
Southeast of New York, NY DMA Slow Zone: Effective July 3-18
Waters bounded by: NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°17' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°33' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 71°34' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 72°32' W
East of Atlantic City, NJ DMA Slow Zone: Effective July 2-17
Waters bounded by: NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°49' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°07' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 72°04' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 72°55' W
Southeast of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective June 29-July 14
Waters bounded by: NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°52' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°16' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 67°45' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 68°35' 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:
Great South Channel SMA (Apr. 1 - Jul. 31)
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.
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.
Disclaimer: For quality assurance purposes please note well that while the information contained in this website is regularly vetted for accuracy it is not intended to replace the local knowledge or expertise pertaining to port conditions of our marine operations personnel.
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