Massachusetts Extends Speed Limits to Protect 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

Boaters in Cape Cod Bay will be required to keep their speed down through the middle of May.

Chart courtesy of MA Division of Marine Fisheries

Officials with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries announced on Tuesday, April 29 that they are extending the small vessel speed restriction in Cape Cod Bay through May 15 to protect migrating right whales.

Boats less than 65 feet long are required to travel at speeds no greater than 10 knots in the designated area.

A complementary federal speed restriction in the same area applies to vessels 65 feet and greater until May 15.

Officials said right whales are highly susceptible to injury and death due to boat collision.

The Center for Coastal Studies documented 52 right whales in Cape Cod Bay during a partial aerial survey on April 29. The whales included three pairs of mothers and calves, all of which were skim feeding at the surface or just below the surface. This feeding behavior makes them highly susceptible to vessel collision.

Acoustic detections of right whales on a monitoring buoy in Cape Cod Bay also shows continued strong presence of right whales in the area.

All mariners are advised to follow the 10-knot speed limit and use extreme caution when transiting the area.

Additionally, state and federal law prohibit anyone from approaching within 500 yards of a right whale.

Boaters who observe a right whale entangled in fishing gear while on the water should report it immediately to the Center for Coastal Studies (800-900-3622), the state Office of Environmental Law Enforcement (800-632-8075) or the federal Entanglement Hot Line (866-755-6622).