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Humpback whales are making quite a splash in Santa Cruz, Calif.
In the chilly waters, not far off the coast, a pair of the 40-ton giants nearly swallowed a surfer last week, as the humpbacks grazed for a meal in the fertile water.
The close encounters seem to be on the rise, but the U.S. Coast Guard says it doesn't keep track of all of them. By most accounts, more people than ever before are out tailing whales. The humpbacks are coming closer to shore, where krill and anchovies are in abundance.
With these kinds of encounters happening more frequently, marine biologists worry someone is going to get hurt.
Kera Mathes, a whale expert with the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Calif., says people should keep their distance.
"Being that close to an 80,000-pound whale when it’s coming up and looking for food isn’t safe," she said. "When these surfers and kayakers are so close, it definitely poses a danger to the whale and those in the water."
Coast Guard boats now scour northern and southern California waters for anyone within 100 yards of blue, humpback, or fin whales. The fine for encroaching on the endangered species is $2,500. Coast Guard Capt. Roger Laferriere likens whale seekers to "someone standing on your kitchen table when you’re trying to eat."
The safest way to see these whales, which have shown up in record numbers this year off the California coast, is to take a tour boat. But hurry. Soon, the whales will be migrating for the winter, leaving behind some close encounters many won’t ever forget.
Watch the full report on Tuesday at 6:30 ET on Nightly News with Brian Williams.
Leave a Comment:
i dont live near any whales, and i have a great appreciation and respect for the wildlife, but i have to say... encountering something like that ... i would just die from the excitement! not everyone gets this chance, and how are you to know if a whale underwater is 100ft away? stay away from the magical, but love when the magical comes to you!
Are you talking about Lucky Charms or whales? They're both magically delicious.
Since when did Santa Cruz get moved to "Southern California"??? I think the news reporters should consult a map. We call it "Central California" and feel strongly about it.
I doubt the authorities will tag someone for happening upon some whales unexpectedly, but if they're seen breaching and boats are purposefully heading towards them or remaining in the area they are, that's the problem.....
Looks like the whale protection in general is working. Awesome encounters!
Don't look at the Japanese then...... They kill whales in the "hidden name of science". I would do anything to see these magnificent beings - all whales.
FUK U DOL FIN
Beautiful animals and stupid people are a bad mix. Someone in a kayak is going to get swallowed whole and likely the whale will die of constipation trying to pass the kayak and occupant of afore mentioned kayak.. Now THAT will be a shame.
The whale's throat is too narrow to swallow a kayak or a surfer. The danger to the whale would be that either indigestible object might get stuck and the whale would choke to death. As for danger to the surfer or kayaker, whales are exceptionally good at avoiding such objects. But a feeding or spy-hopping whale could easily accidentally fall head-first onto one, particularly if the area is so crowded with foolish humans that they can't be avoided.
I'm worried about the whales. They were minding their own business and the stupid humans went out there to see them up close.
The only reason the whales are so close to land in the first place is humans have destroyed so much of their natural feeding areas.
Don't advertise this to the Japanese whalers. You would be seeing their "factory ships" and harpooners right behind the humpbacks.
I know. Exactly.....
For God for the discovery of oil so we don't have to continue killing whales for their oil. Whales were hunted for their oil to almost extinction until David Rockefeller came along :)
Wow, we needed to know that, Miguel Almaguer. Nothing more important on the home front right now.
I see...don't get too close to the whales in your kayak or its a 2500 dollar fine...BUT, as usual it will be fine as long as you PAY someone on a tour boat...hmmmm...typical
i kill u dol fin
It should be regarded as mountain climbing, extreme skiing, and other endeavours humans take on for thrill; quite certainly, they know the inherent danger and that's what makes it more intriguing. If someone gets hurt, that's on them. I seriously doubt they'll hurt the whale, save for what an above poster said about a narrow gullet. They've capsized boats before on happenstance, and all came through fine; perhaps in the past it's been a different outcome, and if one were to land precariously yes... it could be fatal. But again, that's on the thrill seekers.
Very happy to hear of the large numbers of the whales. Keep a safe distance and let 'em be. It's their world in the oceans.
I have a feeling nobody will be fined any $2,500.
give them space so they come back next year safe from the japs. they are smart and will tell each other that it's a safe place. does anyone not believe they know the oceans and have the ability to MEMORIZE?