NANTUCKET – Federal fisheries officials have implemented a voluntary vessel speed restriction zone off the coast of Nantucket to protect a group of right whales.
4 of the critically endangered creatures were spotted 2 miles south of the island on June 30.
As a result, mariners are asked to either avoid the area of travel through it at 10 knots or less. The request is in effect until July 15.
The exact coordinates are: 41 32 N, 40 54 N, 070 29 W, 069 36 W.
A mandatory speed restriction remains in effect in the Great South Channel east of Cape Cod through July 31.
17 right whales were found dead in 2017, leaving only roughly 450 of the animals in the world. A vast majority of the global population comes to the waters off Cape Cod every year to feed.