A group of 50 North Atlantic Right whales have recently been seen congregating off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and federal officials are asking boaters to slow down to protect them from extinction.

With only about 400 of the endangered species left on the planet, NOAA has imposed a speed limit of not more than 10 knots until February 15th.

Boat and ship collisions account for the majority of right whale deaths off New England.  Getting tangled in fishing gear is the second cause of death.

North Atlantic Right Whales can live up to 70 years and grow up to 70 tons.  They inhabit an area of the Atlantic that extends from New England to the southern part of the country.

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