New Right Whale Slow Zone: East of Boston, MA
Last edited Wed Apr 16, 2025, 11:40 AM - Edit history (1)
New Right Whale Slow Zone: East of Boston, MA
Effective Through April 29
On April 14, 2025, the members of the public detected the presence of right whales east of Boston, MA. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through April 29, 2025.
As a reminder, one additional Slow Zone is 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.
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.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNOAAFISHERIES/bulletins/3dc3479
