BOATERS ASKED TO EXERCISE CAUTION AROUND WHALES

Recreational and commercial boaters are asked to be extra cautious during the height of whale season which runs from January through March. The Department of Land and Natural Resources says the extra caution will help the population of these treasured mammals to thrive. During November the humpback whales return to Hawaii from their feeding grounds in Alaska to give birth in our warm waters. As many as 10,000 whales may visit Hawaii in a single season. To reduce the chances of collision, vessels are asked to maintain a slow and safe speed. Federal rules prohibit ocean users from being within 100 yards of any humpback whale. This rule applies year round throughout the Hawaiian archipelago as far as 200 miles offshore. Various locations will be closed to parasailing, thrill craft, and/or high speed boating from December 15^th through May 15 to protect the humpbacks

(Posted: Friday, January 02, 2009)