Small vessel speed restriction for right whales

During a partial aerial survey on April 29, the Center for Coastal Studies documented 52 right whales in Cape Cod Bay, including three mother/calf pairs, all of which were skim feeding at the surface or just below the surface. This feeding behavior makes them highly susceptible to vessel collision. Acoustic detections of right whales on a near real-time monitoring buoy in Cape Cod Bay also shows a continued strong presence.  

As a result of the ongoing presence of right whales, the small vessel speed restriction in Cape Cod Bay has been extended through May 15, 2025. Small vessels (less than 65’) are required to travel at speeds no greater than 10 knots in this area. Right whales are highly susceptible to injury and death due to vessel collision. A complementary federal speed restriction in the same area applies to vessels 65’ and greater. 

Also on May 1, the Center for Coastal Studies Aerial Survey Team detected the presence of right whales north of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, so a right whale slow zone area is in effort there through May 16. This voluntary slow zone ruts mariners to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less. Visit Reducing Vessel Strikes to North Atlantic Right Whales | NOAA Fisheries for all slow zone postings and coordinates.  

New bluefin tuna regulations in effect May 1 

The Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limit for recreational fishermen will remain at the default limit of 1 school, large school, or small medium bluefin tuna (27 to < 73” curved fork length) per vessel per day/trip. This limit will continue to be in effect through Dec. 31, 2025, unless modified by later action. Current Atlantic highly migratory species bag limit information can be found at Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Minimum Sizes and Bag Limits | NOAA Fisheries. 

The recreational “trophy” bluefin tuna fishery remains open in the Gulf of Maine Trophy area and the Southern New England Trophy area. Atlantic tunas Angling category and charter/headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally are allowed one trophy bluefin tuna measuring 73” curved fork length or greater per vessel per year provided “trophy” category sub-quota in the respective region is available at the time of harvest. 

New cod and haddock regulation areas 

In accordance with a new NOAA Fisheries Emergency Action on May 1, 2025 recreational vessels may not retain Atlantic cod caught in the Georges Bank, Southern New England (includes areas off Rhode Island) and Mid-Atlantic regulated mesh areas.  

Vessels in possession of Gulf of Maine cod that meet the possession limit, minimum size, and open season specified for the Gulf of Maine regulated mesh area may transit the other regulated mesh areas with that cod, provided all bait and hooks are removed from fishing rods, and any cod on board has been gutted and stored.  

Visit  Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish): Recreational Fishing | NOAA Fisheries to see a map and coordinates for these areas, as well as current regulations for recreational fishing. 

Recreational limits for Gulf of Maine haddock and Western Gulf of Maine cod: At this time, the recreational fishing limits for haddock and Western Gulf of Maine cod remain status quo, consistent with federal regulations. For Gulf of Maine haddock the open fishing season is April 1 through Feb. 28 with a 18” minimum size and 15-fish bag limit and for Western Gulf of Maine cod, the open season is Sep. 1 through Oct. 31 with a 1-fish bag limit and 23” minimum size. 

Where’s the bite? 

Striped bass fishing for holdover striped bass (fish that did not migrate south) continues to be very good with anglers catching keeper striped bass 28” to < 31”. “Recent sunny days have warmed the water and we're seeing a good mix of sizes, from smaller school bass up to impressive fish over 30 inches. We've also noticed a few worm hatches last week where fish have been present. It looks like these hatches will soon be expanding from the more secluded coves to the open edges of the ponds,” said Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle in Charlestown. 

East end Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod canal fishing expert and author, said, “Rob Fishsticks’ Pesa is on the board with his first striped bass of the season, a holdover caught in the Taunton River that fell for a small green mack Savage Sand Eel and “Hammerin’ Jack” Barton has been doing well in the same area for the past two weeks with Savages & FishLabs.” Tom Olson of Ponaug Bait & Tackle in Warwick said, “Still not much action in Apponaug Cove area, but some anglers are picking up fish at Conimicut Point, Warwick with isolated reports of fish in Greenwich Bay.” Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, said, “Fish to 34” are being caught in the Providence River and West Passage with school bass being caught in Greenwich Bay. Natural baits such as clam, squid and oms are working as well as flutter spoons as there are not many Atlantic menhaden available.” 

Tautog.  “We've been getting some positive reports on tautog, with customers having success both from the shore and by boat. There have also been a few reports of cod in deeper waters.” said Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle. Dustin Stevens of Rhode Island Kayak Adventures, said, “I like to use half of a green crab with legs off in the spring as the fish seem to like softer baits.” Angler Greg Vespe of Tiverton, said, “Tog fishing exploded over the weekend with a nice mix of males and females in the mid and upper bay now that the water is 52.8 so they are chewing. We had our limits before our coffee was cold and then just played around trying new spots.” 

Freshwater trout fishing is still a good bet with trout stocking recently occurring in Rhode Island and Massachusetts waterways. For complete regulations, a list of stocked ponds, and a copy of the Rhode Island Freshwater Fishing Regulations and Guide visit Fish & Wildlife | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and in Massachusetts visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov. 

Dave Monti holds a master captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.