The federal government is asking vessels to slow down in an area south of Nantucket because approximately one-eighth of the worldwide population of an endangered whale has been spotted nearby.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says 50 North Atlantic right whales were seen in the area on Jan. 31. The agency has enacted a voluntary speed restriction until Feb. 15. The Boston Globe reports the government is encouraging mariners not to travel faster than 10 knots.
