Boaters are being asked to lookout for humpback whales, which are currently feeding close to shore in Maine waters.
Humpback whales inhabit the New England coasts in larger numbers during the summer, and have been spotted in the last few days in Maine.
NOAA and the Maine Department of Marine Resources are asking boaters to follow tips in watching humpbacks, such as staying at least 100 feet away to avoid cutting off the whale’s path or getting too close.
They note spotting whales is an exciting experience, but the best experiences come from watching in a way that is safe and does not disturb the whale.
Whale watching tips:
See a spout, watch out! Enter an area slowly and designate someone as a lookout
- Head On Is Wrong! Whales are protected under federal law, so interrupting their natural behaviors is illegal. Parallel the whale’s course and direction while staying at least 100 feet away (300 feet is better!) to avoid cutting off its path or getting too close.
- Avoid trouble, steer clear of bubbles! If you see any large bubbles or disturbances in the water, large bird aggregations, proceed with caution. A feeding whale is likely to surface in that space!
- Lots of boats, then talk to folks! If there are other boats in the area, you can use your marine radio to hail them to gather more information about the whale(s).
- Don’t chase, give the whales space! If a whale moves away from your boat, don’t chase it. Respect the whales’ behavior and keep your distance. Cautious boaters may get to see exciting natural behaviors.
More tips on boating and fishing safely around whales can be found here.
Boaters are asked to call the Maine Stranding Hotline if you see an injured, dead, or entangled marine mammal (whales, dolphins, or seals) or sea turtle in Maine – 1-800-532-9551.
Sightings may always be reported to the US Coast Guard via VHF Ch. 16.
