Port Alert
Connecticut / Long Island Sound
April 11, 2025
Notices
New Right Whale Slow Zone: Southeast of Nantucket, MA
Effective Through April 25
On April 10, 2025, the NOAA North Atlantic Right Whale Sighting Survey detected the presence of right whales southeast of Nantucket, MA. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through April 25, 2025.
As a reminder, three 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.
Southeast of Nantucket, MA DMA Slow Zone: Effective April 10 - 25, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°50′ N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°8′ N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 68°59′ W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 69°53′ W
Southwest of Nantucket, MA Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective March 31 - April 15, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°20′ N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°40′ N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 69°53′ W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 70°46′ W
East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective March 30 - April 14, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°38′ N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°58′ N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°13′ W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°4′ W
Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective March 27 - April 11, 2025
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°25′ N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°44′ N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°44′ W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°36′ W
Active Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs)
Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect for most vessels 65 ft or longer 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)
Off Race Point SMA (Mar 1 - Apr 30)
Great South Channel SMA (Apr 1 - Jul 31)
NOTE: From March 1-April 30, Massachusetts state law requires all vessels, regardless of size, to adhere to the 10 knot speed limit within the Cape Cod Bay SMA.
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 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
New Phone Number for Text Message Alerts
For your awareness, starting May 13, NOAA Fisheries will be sending text message alerts from a new, toll-free phone number: (844) 548-2865. This will replace our current 468-311 number. Learn more about our text message service.
