EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Go Slow, Whales Below: - VESSEL STRIKES CONTINUE TO THREATEN

These Slow Zones function the same as reduce the risk from the top threats and allow the voluntary DMAs, except they can also be triggered by species to recover, the U. [...] boats to slow down and reduce the number of vertical lines from fishing gear in the water, particularly in times Despite these safeguards, the whales are still at risk of and places where North Atlantic right whales are known being struck by vessels less than 65 feet in length inside to be present. [...] SMAs and DMAs/Slow Zones, and by all vessels outside of the conservation areas, as the range of these whales To address the vessel strike threat to North Atlantic has shifted since the regulations were established. [...] DMAs are rectangular and extend 15 nautical detected; miles around the core area of the whale detection and • Expand regulations to include all vessels 35 feet were intended to account for the variability in whale and greater; and locations outside of SMAs. [...] To protect this species, Oceana recommends that NMFS promptly release the final updated Vessel Speed Rule that would: • Update the timing and location of seasonal mandatory slow zones to reflect the current footprint of North Atlantic right whales compared to where the whales were 15 years ago; • Make compliance with voluntary Dynamic Management Areas mandatory; and • Expand the rule to include ve.