Notice
Connecticut / Long Island Sound
January 02, 2025
Notices
January 2, 2025
New Right Whale Slow Zone and Extension: S of Nantucket, MA and E of Virginia Beach, VA
Effective Through January 15 and 17, 2025
On December 31, 2024, the New England Aquarium Aerial Survey Team detected the presence of right whales south of Nantucket, MA. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through January 15, 2025.
Additionally, on January 2, 2025, 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. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through January 17, 2025.
As a reminder, nine 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.
East of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 2 - 17, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°02' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°23' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 75°03' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°53' W
South of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective December 31, 2024 - January 15, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°11' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°22' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°27' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°25' W
Northeast of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 31, 2024 - January 15, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°29' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°50' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°49' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°40' W
North of Cape Hatteras, NC DMA Slow Zone: Effective December 30, 2024 - January 14, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°21' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 35°40' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°56' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°47' W
Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 30, 2024 - January 14, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°25' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°44' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°44' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°36' W
East of Portland, ME Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 29, 2024 - January 13, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°56' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°16' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 67°57' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 68°52' W
East of Cape Hatteras, NC DMA Slow Zone: Effective December 28, 2024 - January 12, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 35°40' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 34°56' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°59' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°53' W
Southeast of New York #2, NY Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 23, 2024 - January 7, 2025
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 New York #1, NY Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 19, 2024 - January 3, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°36' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°56' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 72°36' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°28' W
East of Portsmouth, NH Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 18, 2024 - January 2, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°22' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°41' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°43' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°38' W
East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective December 18, 2024 - January 2, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°38' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°58' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°13' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°04' W
Note: This announcement reflects the cancellation of the northeast of Atlantic City, NJ following the determination that the detection on December 27, 2024 did not qualify the area for a Slow Zone.
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)
Cape Cod Bay SMA (Jan 1 - May 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.
