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Over the weekend, the New England Aquarium’s aerial survey team found a large aggregation of endangered North Atlantic right whales off Jeffreys Ledge. They estimate that there are 50-60+ whales in a small area. A large amount of fixed fishing gear was also observed in the same area. Whales were observed in close proximity to the gear, which presents a high risk of entanglement. NOAA Fisheries established a Dynamic Management Area/Right Whale Slow Zone in this area and requests that mariners slow to 10 knots or less to help prevent collisions. Boaters are also reminded that approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal law.
Please be aware of this aggregation and take every precaution to avoid entangling or colliding with these whales as they feed.
All boaters from Maine to Virginia, or interested parties, can sign up for email or text notifications about the latest Right Whale Slow Zones. You can check for Right Whale Slow Zones on our online right whale sightings map. Or, you can download the free Whale Alert app, which will automatically notify you when you enter one of these areas.
Please report all right whale sightings from Maine to Virginia at (866)755-6622 or to the US Coast Guard via VHF CH16.
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