Right Whale Slow Zone off Ocean City, MD Extended
January 16, 2026/
Image courtesy NOAA
Another detection of the presence of right whales east of Ocean City by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. The right whale slow zone is now in effect until January 29th.
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.
East of Ocean City, MD Acoustic Slow Zone: Effective January 14 – 29, 2026
Waters bounded by:
NORTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°34′ N
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: 38°03′ N
EASTERN BOUNDARY: 74°19′ W
WESTERN BOUNDARY: 74°58’ W
Please visit the NOAA Fisheries website for more information.