Beginning Saturday, vessels 65 feet or longer traveling along areas of the mid-Atlantic must maintain speeds of 10 knots or slower.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries implements the speed limit through seasonal management areas for North Atlantic right whales each year to reduce the threat of vessel collisions.
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Ship collisions are a leading cause of death to these critically endangered whales, of which there are believed to be fewer than 400 on the planet.
Mid-Atlantic seasonal management areas are in effect through April 30, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries also encourages vessels less than 65 feet in length to also slow to speeds of 10 knots or slower within active management areas.
Seasonal management areas off the North Carolina coast span off the shores from the Port of Morehead City, Beaufort, and a continuous area 20 nautical miles from shore between Wilmington down to Brunswick, Georgia.
For real-time updates on Slow Zones, seasonal management areas, and other right whale sightings download the Whale Alert app. For recent right whale sightings and real-time acoustic detections along the eastern seaboard may be accessed here.
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