Boaters Can Help Protect Whales

SAN DIEGO LOG - Boaters began hearing a different kind of notice to mariners broadcast in August, every other hour over the NOAA marine radio weather channel — and it’s about whales, not storms.

Last year, five blue whales reportedly died as the result of being hit by large vessels while feeding in and near shipping lanes in the Santa Barbara Channel and off the Southern California coast.

Through its new special marine radio broadcasts, NOAA is advising mariners to keep a sharp lookout for large whales – blues, humpback and fins – that have been sighted regularly in or near shipping lanes from Point Conception to Point Dume. These large whales are listed as endangered species and are protected under federal law.

NOAA strongly recommends that “vessels 300 gross registered tons or larger transiting the traffic separation scheme do so at speeds not in excess of 10 knots”