Right Whale Slow Zone Extension: E Portland, Maine - Effective through November 30

On November 15, 2024,  the Gulf of Maine Fall Slocum glider operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution redetected the presence of right whales east of Portland, Maine. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through November 30, 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 (DMAs) and Acoustic Slow Zones where right whales have been detected.

Please visit our website for more information.

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°45' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°05' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 67°40' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 68°35' W

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°35' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°56' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 72°47' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°40' W

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 44°44' N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 44°01' N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 66°38' W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 67°40' W

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Media: Contact GARFO Public Affairs