The Division of Marine Fisheries has enacted emergency speed limit regulations to protect vulnerable aggregations of endangered northern right whales in Cape Cod Bay. These regulations, effective immediately, are designed to reduce the risk of collisions with vessels and entanglements.
Vessel Speed Limit
Through May 15, 2018 a 10 knot vessel speed limit will be in effect for those waters of Cape Cod Bay south of 42° 08’ north latitude and those waters north of Cape Cod east of 70° 10’ (map). Exempt from this rule are emergency and enforcement vessels, as well as those vessels operating within Plymouth Bay shoreward of Gurnet Point and Barnstable and Wellfleet Harbors. This new state rule applies only to vessels less than 65’ overall length; vessels greater than 65’ length operating in state and adjacent federal waters are already subject to a longstanding seasonal federal 10 knot vessel speed limit. The duration when this speed restriction is in effect may be shortened based on the results of continuing aerial surveys by PCCS.
Right whales are critically endangered species. They seasonally migrate into Massachusetts waters and aggregate in Cape Cod Bay to feed on zooplankton. In recent years more than 50% of the known right whale population is observed in our waters during late winter/early spring. The most recent aerial survey on April 22, 2018 observed more than 100 right whales within Western Cape Cod Bay, about 25% of the known population. The right whale population has been decreasing since 2010 due to continued mortality and low birth rates. The most persistent sources of human-caused mortality are ship strikes and entanglements with fishing gear.
For more information about the management of protected species in Massachusetts, contact DMF at 617-626-1520 or visit our website at mass.gov/marinefisheries.
if man was on earth back then I guess he would have banned hunting dinosaurs?? its time..these whales must be gone for a reason and its not the evil humans
They are called right whales because back in the whaling times they were ther “right” whales to hunt. So it was because of humans… I am not saying that some of the reasons for the restrictions are correct however if you ever have a whale come up right in front of your boat as your doing 30+kts it will scare the crap out of you! So the speed limit is for your safety as much as the whales.
Among the most stupid animals on the planet, Right Whales should be long extinct.
your the biggest idiot on here.
*you’re
It’s ok for Enforcement vehicles to crash into them though
you guys sound kind of selfish to me. I guess Cod should be open an unrestricted too then?
Mark. if a person or vessel is in distress, should an emergency response/ law enforcement vessel observe the 10 knot speed restriction at the risk of someone’s life or try to respond as quickly and safely as possible?
Cut the B S they will pull up to your craft half a mike away at any speed they want to go at. Cut out out
What enforcement agency do you work for?
Do you give your biggest tickets to the 100,000 dollar boats or to the 3000 dollar ones?
Anyone got any references for a good whale watch to see these lunkers before they’re extinct? How is the New England Aquarium watch?
Bill, I am sure it is great! The whales live on Stellwagen so they are easy to find.
I have looked into whale watches before and it seemed like the best ones leave from P-town, but that’s a haul and a half to get all the way out there.
Bill, they all find whales so it is just a question of what is most convenient for you.
I was out watching them by the beach in marblehead on Wednesday. Was told that boats must stay 500 yards away from the whales regardless of whether you are underway. Anyone know about that?
You have to stay a specified distance (varies by species and location) away from ALL marine mammals including dolphins, whales, and seals. Seals are 500 yards. I saw a thing that said killer whales are 200 yards. That said, if they approach you, you are not required to change course aside from avoiding collision. Often, the whale watch boats motor into an area where the whales are headed and kill the engine. The whales come right up to the boat.