April 3, 2014 — The following was released by NOAA:
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 8 right whales sighted in this area on April 2, 2014. This DMA is in effect immediately through April 17, 2014. Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit through it at 10 knots or less.
South of Nantucket DMA — in effect through April 17, 2014
41 12N
40 29N
070 41W
069 45W
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, 2014
Off Race Point SMA — in effect through April 30, 2014
Great South Channel SMA — in effect through July 31, 2014
Mid-Atlantic SMAs — in effect through April 30, 2014
Southeast SMAs — in effect through April 15, 2014
DOWNLOAD THE WHALE ALERT APP FOR iPAD AND iPHONE:
stellwagen.noaa.gov/protect/whalealert.html
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)