Extension of Right Whale Slow Zone East of Ocean City, MD – Effective Through 01/15

On December 31, 2021, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s acoustic array redetected the presence of right whales East of Ocean City, MD. The right whale Acoustic SLOW Zone is in effect immediately and expires on January 15, 2022.

As a reminder, on December 29, 2021, NOAA Fisheries announced an Acoustic SLOW Zone Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ. The Slow Zone expires on January 13, 2022.

Lastly, on December 21, 2021, NOAA Fisheries also announced an Acoustic SLOW Zone Southeast of New York City, NY. The Slow Zone expires on January 5, 2022.

VOLUNTARY Right whale “Slow Zone” AREAS

Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the following areas where persistent aggregations of right whales have been detected. Please visit www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike for more information.

East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic SLOW Zone: Effective December 31, 2021-January 15, 2022
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°38′ N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°58′ N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°13′ W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°04′ W

Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ Acoustic SLOW Zone: Effective December 29, 2021-January 13, 2022 
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°25′ N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°44′ N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°44′ W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°36′ W

Southeast of New York City, NY Acoustic SLOW Zone: Effective December 21-January 5, 2022
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°35′ N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°56′ N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 72°47′ W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°40′ W