January 22, 2015 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries announces that a voluntary vessel speed restriction zone (Dynamic Management Area – DMA) has been established south of Nantucket to protect an aggregation of 6 right whales sighted in this area on January 21, 2015. This DMA is in effect immediately through February 5, 2015. Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit through it at 10 knots or less.
VOLUNTARY DYNAMIC MANAGEMENT AREAS (DMAs)
Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the following areas where persistent aggregations of right whales have been sighted. Please visit www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike for more information.
South of Nantucket DMA – in effect through February 5, 2015:
41 12N
40 28N
070 25W
069 28W
South of Delaware Bay DMA — in effect through February 1, 2015:
38 45N
37 59N
074 53W
074 00W
ACTIVE SEASONAL MANAGEMENT AREAS (SMAs)
Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect in the following areas:
Cape Cod Bay SMA — in effect through May 15, 2015
Mid-Atlantic U.S. SMAs — in effect through April 30, 2015
Southeast U.S. SMA — in effect through April 15, 2015
FOR RECENT RIGHT WHALE SIGHTINGS, VISIT:
www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/surveys/
DOWNLOAD THE WHALE ALERT APP FOR iPAD AND iPHONE:
stellwagen.noaa.gov/protect/whalealert.html
FOR AN AUTOMATIC RETURN EMAIL LISTING ALL CURRENT U.S. DYNAMIC MANAGEMENT AREAS AND SEASONAL MANAGEMENT AREAS, PLEASE SEND A BLANK MESSAGE TO:
nmfs.gar.rightwhale@noaa.gov
DETAILS AND GRAPHICS OF ALL SHIP STRIKE MANAGEMENT ZONES CURRENTLY IN EFFECT:
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike
ACOUSTIC DETECTIONS IN CAPE COD BAY AND THE BOSTON TSS:
www.listenforwhales.org
APPROACHING A RIGHT WHALE CLOSER THAN 500 YARDS IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW. PLEASE REPORT ALL RIGHT WHALE SIGHTINGS TO:
866-755-NOAA (6622)
ADDITIONAL EMAIL ADDRESSES MAY SUBSCRIBE TO THIS DISTRIBUTION LIST BY VISITING:
www.nero.noaa.gov/shipstrike/