The Coast Guard is urging mariners to be aware of many groups of right whales in the area from Boston Light to Marshfield, Massachusetts, and to stay at least 500 yards away from them. Under the Endangered Species Act, it is against the law to approach within 500 yards of a North Atlantic right whale in a vessel, an aircraft (including drones) or by any other means, or to fail to take avoidance measures, including steering away from the whale and immediately leaving the area at a slow speed.
Right whales are surface feeders, and they often eat on the surface or just under it, making them vulnerable to being hit by boats. “North Atlantic right whales are endangered, with a population of only 450 remaining,” said Capt. Claudia Gelzer, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston. “It is crucial for people on the water to help protect the whales by adhering to the 500-yard restriction area and vessel speed restrictions.”
A seasonal management area program also is in effect in Cape Cod Bay through May 15, involving mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less. And there’s a voluntary speed zone 12 nm east of Boston to protect the whales through May 3. The Coast Guard asks mariners to go around this zone or go through it also at a speed of 10 knots or less.
Last year was devastating for North Atlantic whales; 17 were killed, representing 4 percent of their total population. Read more:
