Right Whale Slow Zone in Effect off Coast of Ocean City
An Ocean City buoy operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science detected the presence of right whales east of Ocean City on January 3rd. This right whale Slow Zone is in effect through January 18th. This means that all boaters should slow to 10 knots or less for right whales.
Image courtesy NOAA
Several other slow zones off the coast of Ocean City expired at the end of December and January 2nd.
VOLUNTARY Right Whale “Slow Zone” AREAS
Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the following Dynamic Management Areas (DMAs) and Acoustic Slow Zones where right whales have been detected. Please visit the NOAA Fisheries website for more information.
East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 3 – 18, 2026
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°34′ N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°03′ N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°19′ W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°58’ W