MARTHA'S VINEYARD NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE SIGHTINGS : BOATS ORDERED TO SLOW DOWN TO TEN KNOTS

MARTHA'S VINYARD TIMES ; RIGHT WHALE SIGHTINGS 

Excerpt:

An aerial survey team from the New England Aquarium has detected a number of North Atlantic Right Whales south of Martha's Vineyard, prompting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to enact 'slow zones' for marine vessels in the area.

According to an aerial survey report by the New England Aquarium, 10 general survey tracklines detected 14 Right Whales, in pods of varying sizes, on Friday, March 10.

"North Atlantic Right Whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast off the U.S.  If seen, remember that approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal and state law," NOAA stated in a press release issued Monday.  "Right whales are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and scientists estimate there are fewer than 350 whales remaining.