Cape Cod Bay Speed Restrictions In Place 'Due To The Ongoing Presence Of Right Whales'
BOSTON (CBS) -- Cape Cod boaters are being told to slow down for whales for the next two months.
Massachusetts Environmental Police said Tuesday that "Due to the ongoing presence of Right Whales in Cape Cod Bay, a mandatory speed restriction is in place through May 15."
Boats that are smaller than 65 feet need to travel at 10 knots or slower in the area. It's against the law for boats to get closer than 500 yards to a right whale.
"The Massachusetts Environmental Police will be strictly enforcing the speed restriction," LTC Patrick Moran said in a statement.
The critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale population has dropped to dangerously low levels. In 2021, the numbers dropped to an estimated 336, which is believed to be the lowest figure in almost two decades.
Humans are the biggest threat to whales, with fishing entanglement and boat strikes proving deadly.
