April 20, 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 southwest of Nantucket Island to protect an aggregation of 5 right whales sighted in this area on April 16, 2015.
This DMA is in effect immediately and remains in effect through May 1, 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 26N
40 44N
070 47W
069 51W
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)