Extension of Right Whale Slow Zone Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ – Effective Through 02/27

On February 12, 2022, the Atlantic City buoy operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution redetected the presence of right whales Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ. The right whale SLOW Zone (acoustic trigger) is in effect immediately and expires on February 27, 2022.

As a reminder, NOAA Fisheries also announced three additional acoustic SLOW Zones:

  • West of Martha’s Vineyard, MA, that expires February 18, 2022.
  • Southeast of New York City, NY, that expires February 21, 2022.
  • East of Ocean City, MD, that expires February 24, 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.

Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ Acoustic SLOW Zone: Effective February 12-27, 2022
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°25′ N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°44′ N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 73°44′ W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°36′ W

East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic SLOW Zone: Effective February 9-24, 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 New York City, NY Acoustic SLOW Zone: Effective February 6-21, 2022
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°35′ N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 39°56′ N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 72°47′ W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 73°40′ W

West of Martha’s Vineyard, MA Acoustic SLOW Zone: Effective February 3-18, 2022
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 41°38′ N

SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 40°58′ N

EASTERN BOUNDARY: 70°32′ W

WESTERN BOUNDARY: 71°26′ W

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Give Right Whales Room

North Atlantic right whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. If seen, remember that approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal and state law.

Right Whales in Trouble

North Atlantic right whales are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Scientists estimate there are fewer than 350 individuals remaining, making them one of the rarest marine mammals in the world.

In August 2017, NOAA Fisheries declared the increase in right whale mortalities an “Unusual Mortality Event,” which helps the agency direct additional scientific and financial resources to investigating, understanding, and reducing the mortalities in partnership with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and outside experts from the scientific research community.