[CINC] NOAA Advises: Blue and Humpback Whales Return to the South Coast

[Shauna Bingham]

CINC volunteers:
The following press release is part of the sanctuary's effort to raise
awarenes among boaters regarding the recent increase of blue and humpback
whales in the Channel and the threat for vessel strikes. Please let me know
if you have any quesitons.
Thank you,
Shauna
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
May 22, 2012
Contact:
SeanHastings, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
(805) 966-7107 ext. 472
*NOAA Advises: Blue and Humpback Whales Return to the South Coast*
Whales Feeding in Nutrient-Rich Waters of Channel Islands National Marine
Sanctuary
*Area Boaters Asked to Watch Out for Whales*
 Blue and humpback whales started showing upthis month in large numbers to
feed in the nutrient-rich waters of National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s (NOAA) Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. NOAA is
asking area boaters to follow whale watch guidelines fortheir own safety,
and for the safety of the whales.
 NOAA is concerned about large whale injury and death from vessel strikes
along the West Coast. Each year, thousands of ships and smaller vessels
pass through the Santa BarbaraChannel and collisions with a whale can have
disastrous results for both whaleand vessel. NOAA recommends keeping
adistance of at least 300 feet (the length of a football field) away from
all marine animals, whether in the water or on shore. In addition, please
do not feed marine mammals.
Boaters also should:
· never cut across a whale’s path
· avoid sudden speed or directional changes
· never get between a whale cow and her calf – if separated from its
mother, a calf maynot reunite with her, and could starve to death.
Civil and criminal penalties could apply if these guidelines are not
observed. In addition: Please report any collisions with whales or any
observed injured, entangled or dead whales to NOAA at 877-SOS-WHALe
(877-767-9425) or to the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16.
 During the summer and fall months, these endangered whales migrate to the
sanctuary to feed on their primary prey ofanchovies and krill. Blue whales
found off California are the only recovering blue whale population in the
world with a populationestimated at nearly 2000 animals. Although the
population has grown sinceprotection began in 1966, the possibility of
being struck by a ship orentangled in fishing gear makes the recovery of
blue whales uncertain.
All whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and
certain large whales, such as blue and humpback whales, are also listed as
endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NOAA’s National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) has regulatory responsibility for implementing the
MMPA and ESA. Whales in a national marine sanctuary are further protected
under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA).
 The mission of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries is to serve as the
trustee for the nation's system of 14 marineprotected areas, to conserve,
protect, and enhance their biodiversity,ecological integrity and cultural
legacy. Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary was designated in 1980 to
protect marine resources surrounding San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz,
Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands. The sanctuary spans approximately 1,470
square miles, extending from island shorelines to six miles offshore,
andencompasses a rich diversity of marine life, habitats and historical and
culturalresources. For more information, visit
http://channelislands.noaa.gov/.
NOAA’smission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's
environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to
conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook,
Twitter and our other social media channels.
On the Web:
WhaleWatching Guidelines:
http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/library/national/oeguidelines.pdf
OceanEtiquette: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/protect/oceanetiquette.html
Whale Watch Operators visiting the sanctuary:
http://channelislands.noaa.gov/edu/edu_vessel.html
Channel Islands Naturalist Corps:
http://channelislands.noaa.gov/edu/edu_natc.html
###


-- 
Shauna Bingham
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
113 Harbor Way, Suite 150
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
805-884-1460
805-568-1582 (fax)
http://channelislands.noaa.gov/
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