Help Protect These Remarkable Animals
Right Whales: Seasonal Management Areas and Speed Restrictions
All vessels 65 feet (19.8 m) or longer must travel at 10 knots or less in certain locations [pdf] along the U.S. east coast at certain times of the year to reduce the threat of ship collisions with critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Vessels are requested to remain vigilant and immediately report any sightings to the Coast Guard via channel 16.
Where are Right Whales?
For additional information please visit the NOAA Fisheries > Protected Resources page here: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike/
Recent Manatee Sightings
Jacksonville University has provided the following sight map showing manatees sighted during a Coast Guard Auxiliary aerial survey on May 24, 2019. With the warmer weather, manatees are now abundant in the commercial portion of the river. Please exercise caution.
To help preserve manatees, use polarized sunglasses so you can more easily see the animals in murky water. Also, look for swirl patterns and mud trails particularly in the shallows in and around docks. Please remember to read and observe the manatee speed zone signs.
Should you have any questions about this past season or if you have any regulatory issues you would like to discuss, please contact Mike Getchell at (904) 634-1599 or mgetchell@jmtx.org
Right Whale Tagging and Satellite Tracking
Check out this link to the Alaska SeaLife Center’s website for a discussion and video on the improvements being made to employ satellite tags on North Atlantic right whales.
