Notice
Connecticut / Long Island Sound
December 16, 2024
Notices
New Right Whale Slow Zone and Extension: SE of Nantucket, MA and E of Virginia Beach, VA
Effective through December 30
On December 15, 2024, the NOAA North Atlantic Right Whale Sighting Survey detected the presence of right whales southeast of Nantucket, MA. Additionally, on December 15, 2024, the Norfolk buoy operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and University of South Carolina redetected the presence of right whales east of Virginia Beach, VA. These right whale Slow Zones are in effect through December 30, 2024.
As a reminder, seven 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.
Southeast of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective December 15-30, 2024
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°00' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°17' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 68°47' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 69°44' W
East of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 15-30, 2024
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°02' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°23' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 75°03' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°53' W
North of Cape Cod, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective December 14-29, 2024
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°56' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°14' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°30' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°24' W
Southeast of New York #2, NY Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 13-28, 2024
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°41' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°01' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°03' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°55' W
Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 10-25, 2024
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°25' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°44' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°44' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°36' W
South of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective December 9-24, 2024
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°08' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°27' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°26' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°21' W
East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 8-23, 2024
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°38' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°58' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°13' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°04' W
Southeast of New York #1, NY Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 6-21, 2024
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°36' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°56' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 72°36' N
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°28' N
Southeast of Portland, ME Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 5-20, 2024
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°35' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°55' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°04' N
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 69°59' N
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)
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
Download the Whale Alert app for iPad, iPhone, and Android for real time updates on Slow Zones, SMAs, and other right whale sightings.
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.
Questions?
Media: Contact GARFO Public Affairs
