Slow Zone for Right Whales Through Dec 28

Wayne Creed December 21, 2025 1 minute read

A voluntary right whale “Slow Zone” area is in effect off the Outer Banks through Dec. 28.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries on Wednesday announced a new “Right Whale Slow Zone” east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina in a press release.

On Dec. 13, the CMARI NC aerial survey team detected the presence of right whales east of Outer Banks, according to the release.

Four additional Slow Zones are also currently in effect in the Atlantic Ocean off other states, pictured in the graphic.

Off the Outer Banks, the zone includes waters bounded by:

Northern Boundary: 36°02′ N

Southern Boundary: 35°32′ N

Eastern Boundary: 74°53′ W

Western Boundary: 75°30′ W

Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the Dynamic Management Areas and Acoustic Slow Zones where right whales have been detected.

According to the release: “North Atlantic right whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast of the United States. To protect right whales, regulations prohibit approaching or remaining within 500 yards (1,500 feet) of a right whale. That’s the length of about five football fields.”