Notice
RI / Southern Massachusetts
February 01, 2025
Notices
Two New Right Whale Slow Zones: SW Nantucket, MA and E Outer Banks, NC
Effective Through February 13 and 14
On January 29, 2025, the Martha’s Vineyard buoy operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution detected the presence of right whales southwest of Nantucket, MA. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through February 13, 2025.
Additionally on January 30, 2025, the North Carolina aerial survey team detected the presence of right whales east of Outer Banks, NC. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through February 14, 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 Outer Banks, NC DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 30 - February 14, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°37' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 35°55' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°43' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°33' W
Southwest of Nantucket, MA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 29 - February 13, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°20' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°40' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°53' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°46' W
Northeast of Ocean City, MD DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 27 - February 11, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°01' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°16' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°07' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°06' W
East of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 27 - February 11, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°02' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°23' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 75°03' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°53' W
Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 26 - February 10, 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 Virginia Beach, VA #2 DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 25 - February 9, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°16' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°36' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°55' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°44' W
East of Portsmouth, NH DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 22 - February 6, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 43°19' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 42°34' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°37' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°40' W
South of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective
January 19 - February 3, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°07' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°28' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°40' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°39' W
Northeast of Virginia Beach, VA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective
January 19 - February 3, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°29' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 36°50' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°49' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°40' W
South of Ocean City, MD DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 18 - February 2, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°20' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°38' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°35' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°29' W
Southeast of Ocean City, MD DMA Slow Zone: Effective January 18 - February 2, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°36' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°55' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°31' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°23' W
East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 15 - 30, 2025
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, NY Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 13 - 28, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°41' N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°01' N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°03' W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°55' W
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.
Questions?
Media: Contact GARFO Public Affairs
