Extension of Right Whale Slow Zone East of Ocean City, Maryland

On March 7, 2023, the Ocean City buoy operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science redetected the presence of north Atlantic right whales east of Ocean City, Maryland. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through March 22, 2023. As a reminder, two Slow Zones in the region are currently in effect. Locations and effective dates are shown in the image below. 

VOLUNTARY Right Whale “Slow Zone” AREAS

Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the areas where persistent aggregations of right whales have been detected. Please visit the NOAA Fisheries website for more information.

East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective March 7 – March 22, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°38′ N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 37°58′ N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°13′ W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°04′ W

Northeast of Ocean City, MD DMA Zone: Effective February 22 – March 9, 2023

Waters bounded by:

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°58′ N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°19′ N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°11′ W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 75°01′ W

If you are looking for more information about North Atlantic Right whales or Humpback whales