Speed Limit Set To Protect Right Whales

Two North Atlantic right whales photographed by the NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Center aerial survey team in May 2016. Tim Cole/NOAA Fisheries, NEFSC

Anyone boating in Cape Cod Bay through the end of April will need to adhere to a strict speed limit.

Massachusetts state law requires all vessels—regardless of size—to obey a 10-knot speed limit within Cape Cod Bay from March 1 through April 30.

The rule is put in place each year to protect migrating right whales.

Additionally, federal officials require vessels 65 feet and longer to currently travel at 10 knots or less in several Seasonal Management Areas along the East Coast. Besides Cape Cod Bay, those include two areas off Cape Cod—Off Race Point and Great South Channel—and the area between Long Island and Martha’s Vineyard. They also encourage smaller vessels to obey this speed limit in those areas, but it is not required.

Endangered North Atlantic right whales are at heightened risk for vessel strikes because they spend a lot of time at or close to the water surface. Vessel strikes are a primary threat to the species.

Right whales can be very difficult to spot from a boat due to their dark color and lack of a dorsal fin. Environmental conditions like bad weather, poor sea state, murky water, and low light can impact your ability to see these whales.

Learn more about right whales here.