August 8, 2014 — The following was released by NOAA:
NOAA Fisheries announces that a voluntary vessel speed restriction zone (Dynamic Management Area – DMA) has been established 13 nautical miles south of Portsmouth, New Hampshire to protect an aggregation of 5 right whales sighted in this area on August 8, 2014. This DMA is in effect immediately through August 23, 2014. Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit through it at 10 knots or less. These temporary areas are established when ever aggregations of right whales are reported.
Please visit www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike for more information.
13nm South of Portsmouth, New Hampshire DMA — in effect through August 23, 2014
43 13N
42 31N
071 12W
070 14W
70nm East of Portland, Maine DMA — in effect through August 14, 2014
43 59N
43 20N
069 04W
068 10W
ACTIVE SEASONAL MANAGEMENT AREAS (SMAs)
Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect in the following areas:
No SMAs currently in effect
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
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)