Watch out for whales in Atlantic off Virginia coast

NOAA is reminding owners and operators of recreational yachts and other recreational vessels to slow down in Right Whale Seasonal Management Areas along the Atlantic coast.

Vessel speed restriction regulations under the federal Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule require boats 65 feet and greater in length to travel at a speed of 10 knots or less through Seasonal Management Areas and applies equally to commercial and recreational vessels. A violation of the speed reduction regulation is subject to a civil penalty of up to $13,200 under the Endangered Species Act.

Slower speeds reduce the risk of collisions with endangered right whales, and decrease the likelihood of serious injury or death to the whale if a collision does occur. Collisions with large whales are also dangerous to passengers.

In April, right whales migrate from their calving grounds off the coasts of Florida and Georgia to feeding areas in the Gulf of Maine and north Atlantic. Several right whales have already been sighted in Massachusetts waters at this time.

The North Atlantic right whale population is less than 500. Researchers have documented 17 right whale calves born this season and two first time mothers. Hitting, killing and removing even just one of these reproducing mothers from the endangered right whale population means not only the loss of one adult whale, but the loss of all of her future calves.

As these whales journey north, NOAA Fisheries is taking the opportunity to remind mariners along the Atlantic coast that the right whales, including mom and calf pairs, are in these waters and to slow down to protect them.
 
How to Help
In the Southeast, to report sightings of dead, injured, or entangled whales, please contact NOAA Fisheries at 1-877-WHALE-HELP or 1-877-433-8299. You can also identify and help marine mammals in trouble simply by using your smartphone.

In the Northeast (Virginia through Maine), please report right whale sightings and sightings of dead, injured or entangled marine mammals to 866-755-NOAA(6622)

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)