S. Jersey whale sighting prompts shipping speed advisory
Federal officials are asking vessels operating near the mouth of Delaware Bay to travel at a reduced speed of 10 knots or less to protect an aggregation of five highly endangered right whales spotted in the area.
Federal officials are asking vessels operating near the mouth of Delaware Bay to travel at a reduced speed of 10 knots or less to protect an aggregation of five highly endangered right whales spotted in the area.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service said the whales were spotted Thursday.
The voluntary speed restriction advisory remains in effect until Feb. 22, the service said.
The coordinates for the so called Dynamic Management Area are 39 38N to 38 55N and from 074 21W to 073 27W.
According to NOAA, only about 300 North Atlantic right whales remain, making them one of the most endangered cetaceans in the world.
In the fall, pregnant females travel down the East Coast to their only known calving area in the coastal waters off the Southeast United States.
Their dark coloring and lack of dorsal fin and their propensity to stay close to the surface makes them easy victims of ship strikes, NOAA said,
Approaching or remaining within 500 yards of a right whale - even by aircraft - is a violation of federal law, carrying fines of up to $55,000.
