
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, taken under NOAA permit 20556-01
CHILMARK, Mass. (AP) — The federal government is implementing a new “slow zone” for boaters south of Martha’s Vineyard to try to protect rare whales.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Tuesday that the new slow zone will be in effect until July 18.
It’s designed to protect North Atlantic right whales, which number only about 360.
The agency is asking mariners to route around the area altogether or travel through it at 10 knots (11.5 mph) or less.