Dozens of North Atlantic right whales spotted off Cape, Nantucket

A voluntary slow zone is in place off the coast of Nantucket after nearly two dozen right whales were spotted last week, the New England Aquarium said. At least 23 of the endangered mammals were documented during aerial surveys on Jan. 5 and 8, including two females that have had calves in recent years. Federal authorities are asking for boaters to slow their speeds to 10 knots in the area to reduce the risk of boat strikes.The winter/spring season marks the peak time of year for right whale sightings in southern New England waters. The Center for Coastal Studies has also sighted right whales in Cape Cod Bay over the last month. The North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered, with an estimated 370 animals remaining, including about 70 reproductively active females, and is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. That designation legally prohibits boats and aircraft from coming within 500 yards of them. It also restricts vessel speeds in designated areas, including Cape Cod waters.The right whale’s greatest threats to survival are being struck by a vessel or becoming entangled in rope.The right whale is the official marine mammal of Massachusetts.

NANTUCKET, Mass. —

A voluntary slow zone is in place off the coast of Nantucket after nearly two dozen right whales were spotted last week, the New England Aquarium said.

At least 23 of the endangered mammals were documented during aerial surveys on Jan. 5 and 8, including two females that have had calves in recent years.

Federal authorities are asking for boaters to slow their speeds to 10 knots in the area to reduce the risk of boat strikes.

The winter/spring season marks the peak time of year for right whale sightings in southern New England waters. The Center for Coastal Studies has also sighted right whales in Cape Cod Bay over the last month.

The North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered, with an estimated 370 animals remaining, including about 70 reproductively active females, and is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. That designation legally prohibits boats and aircraft from coming within 500 yards of them. It also restricts vessel speeds in designated areas, including Cape Cod waters.

The right whale’s greatest threats to survival are being struck by a vessel or becoming entangled in rope.

The right whale is the official marine mammal of Massachusetts.