April 2, 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 in Rhode island Sound to protect an aggregation of four right whales sighted in this area on April 1, 2015.
This DMA is in effect immediately and remains in effect through April 16, 2015. Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit through it at 10 knots or less.
This DMA is bounded by the following coordinates:
41 37N
40 56N
071 39W
070 44W
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 U.S. SMA (through May 15, 2015)
Mid-Atlantic U.S. SMAs (through April 30, 2015)
Great South Channel U.S. SMAs (through July 31, 2015)
Southeast U.S. SMA (through April 15, 2015)
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 and Seasonal Management Areas, please send a blank message to:
nmfs.gar.rightwhale@noaa.gov
Details and graphics of this and all other ship strike management zones currently in effect:
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike
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)