**UPDATE AS OF MAY 2, 2013***
RIGHT WHALE ADVISORY LIFTED IN WESTERN CAPE COD BAY
Aerial and vessel surveillance efforts by the Center for Coastal Studies and the Division of Marine Fisheries have determined that the feeding aggregation of right whales in Western Cape Cod Bay has dispersed. No right whales were sighted in the area from Green Harbor down to Sandwich from the aircraft on May 1 and the zooplankton resource throughout the Bay has declined. However, the whales have not fully departed Cape Cod Bay – the aerial survey team spotted approximately 50 right whales around Provincetown who were surface feeding. Thus, mariners should remain on the lookout for right whales around Provincetown and the outer shore of Cape Cod.
Marine Fisheries would like to thank fishermen, whale watch companies and others for their assistance and compliance with measures designed to protect this highly endangered animal. Marine Fisheries monitors the presence of right whales in Cape Cod Bay through aerial surveys, habitat sampling and acoustic monitoring. Sightings observed through these efforts allow Marine Fisheries to address threats to right whales on a real-time basis. We greatly appreciate the diligence and alertness of mariners and our surveillance team during the 2013 season.
For more information, contact Erin Burke at 508-990-2860 x142 or visit the MarineFisheries website at www.mass.gov.
A large and stable aggregation of endangered North Atlantic right whales has been documented in Western Cape Cod Bay, many of them outside the boundary of the Critical Habitat. The Division of Marine Fisheries is issuing a High Risk Advisory in this area due to the number of whales, their behavior and their proximity to vessel traffic. Approximately 60 to 80 whales were seen surface and sub-surface feeding in a wide swath near the shipping lanes from Green Harbor down to Sandwich. Dense concentrations of zooplankton at the surface and just below the surface are attracting the whales to this area. Whales feeding in this manner are incredibly difficult to see and at great risk for vessel strike. Vessel strike is a major cause of human-induced mortality for right whales. For the safety of both mariners and whales, vessel operators in this area are strongly urged to proceed with caution, reduce speed (less than 10 knots) and post lookouts to avoid colliding with this highly endangered whale.
Federal law prohibits vessels greater than 65 feet in length from exceeding speeds of 10 knots in Cape Cod Bay during this time of year; however right whales are still vulnerable to collision with smaller vessels.
Vessel traffic is expected to increase in this area over the next few weeks with seasonal increases in recreational and commercial fishing, as well as whale watching and passenger ship activity. Right whales are the most endangered large whale in the North Atlantic with a population of approximately 550 animals.
Vessels are also prohibited by state and federal law from approaching within 500 yards of a right whale. Massachusetts Environmental Police and U.S. Coast Guard are authorized to enforce the 500- yard rule. Vessels that find themselves within 500 yards of a right whale should slowly and cautiously exit the area.
Management of maritime activities near right whales is part of Marine Fisheries’ Right Whale Conservation Program. The Right Whale Conservation Program is a cooperative effort between Marine Fisheries, the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service to study and protect right whales in Cape Cod Bay. Federal funding for the program comes from the National Marine Fisheries Service and state funding comes from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) issues notices to mariners via the Northern Right Whale Sighting Advisory System (SAS). Participating agencies in the SAS include MarineFisheries and the Massachusetts Environmental Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), CCS and other research groups. Advisories can be viewed at the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Region web site (www.nefsc.noaa.gov) and are broadcast over NOAA weather radio.