Slow down to protect the whales off Nantucket

NOAA Fisheries announces that a voluntary vessel speed restriction zone (Dynamic Management Area - DMA) has been established 35 nautical miles ESE of Nantucket to protect an aggregation of 3 right whales sighted in this area on May 28.

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)

This DMA is in effect immediately and remains in effect through Saturday, June 13. 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 25 N
40 46 N
069 41 W
068 48 W

ACTIVE SEASONAL MANAGEMENT AREAS (SMAs)
Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect in the following areas:

Great South Channel U.S. SMAs (through July 31, 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: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)