Monday, 21st November 2011
New voluntary right whale speed restriction zone
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service has announced a voluntary vessel speed restriction zone dynamic management area (DMA) in the vicinity of Jeffreys Ledge to protect an aggregation of 15 right whales.
The whales were sighted in this area on 16 November and this DMA is in effect immediately through to 1 December. Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit through it at 10 knots or less.
Jeffreys Ledge DMA - active until 1 December 43 25N
42 37N
070 44W
069 39W
Jordan Basin DMA - active through to 24 November
43 52N
43 04N
068 51W
067 50W
Cashes Ledge DMA - active through to 23 November 43 34N
42 40N
069 46W
068 33W
Active Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs)
Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect in the following areas:
- Mid-Atlantic SMAs - active through to 30 April 2012
- Southeast SMA - active through to 15 April 2012
For details and graphics of all ship strike management zones currently in effect, visit www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike
Approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards (457m) is a violation of Federal and State law. Please report all right whale sightings to +1 978-585-8473. For more information on right whale aerial surveys and how to report right whale sightings, visit www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/surveys/SASInteractive2.html
Slow Down for Whales
For information on the latest voluntary speed restrictions in place please click here.
06 December 2010: Fines for not slowing down
It has come to our attention that NOAA have issued Notices of Violation and Assessment (NOVAs) to seven ships for alleged multiple breaches of the seasonal speed limits.
Penalty assessments in these NOVAs range from $16,500 to $49,500, depending on the frequency of the violations. The ships' owners and operators have 30 days to respond to NOVAs by paying the assessed penalty, seeking to have it modified, or requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge.
Any Members receiving a NOVA should contact the Association for assistance.
20 November 2009: Slow Down for Whales
The ten knot speed restriction regulations for the North Atlantic Right Whale, an endangered species, are back in effect in the US Mid-Atlantic and US Southeast waters of the Atlantic Ocean. These rules were published in 2008 by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a department of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and are intended to reduce the threat of ship collisions with Right Whales.
Additionally there are mandatory reporting requirements for vessels when entering the designated Right Whale reporting areas on the US East Coast.
Click here to find out more about the mandatory ship reporting scheme.
28 October 2008: Slow Down for Whales
Blank Rome's Maritime Development Advisory No. 25 reports on a joint ruling by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to restrict the speed of vessels of 65ft or more in length to 10 knots when transiting three Seasonal Management Areas (SMA) in the coastal waters off the East Coast of the United States.
Intended to protect migrating right whales that are known to transit the major shipping corridors off the U.S. coast, periods of enforcement and geographical boundaries of the SMA are detailed in the Advisory.
With an effective enforcement date of December 8 for the South and Mid Atlantic SMA, owners and operators are being encouraged to factor these restrictions into voyage planning in a timely manner.
Click here for NOAA Compliance Guide
Click here for Maritime Development Advisory No. 25
