Collisions between boats as small as 30 feet in length can be lethal to large whales, especially calves, and dangerous for boat passengers. Reduce your speed to keep everyone safe.
An entangled North Atlantic right whale, known as Snow Cone, and her newborn calf have been spotted multiple times since December 2021. If you see them, or any right whale, move at least 500 yards away—it’s best for the whales and it’s the law.
A message from NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit on a recent meeting among U.S. and Canadian officials regarding the conservation and protection of North Atlantic right whales.
Snow Cone, one of the few breeding female North Atlantic right whales remaining, has been spotted with a new calf. She has also been entangled in fishing rope for months.
North Atlantic right whales are approaching extinction with fewer than 350 remaining. With so few of these whales left, researchers closely monitor the southeastern United States for new offspring during the annual right whale calving season.
The 2021 amendments to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan include changes to the requirements for weak inserts and weak line and to into effect May 1, 2022 for Northeast lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot fisheries.
Changes to gear marking requirements for both state and federal waters for Northeast lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot gear are required in the 2021 modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.
