Whale watching is always fun and the great leviathans of the sea and majestic when seen up close. So, it is not surprising that a group of whale watchers took the opportunity to stroke this calm fellow and video the contact. But, they may get in trouble for their efforts as reporter Don Sweeney discovered when he filed this report in the Miami Herald.
BY DON SWEENEY (dsweeney@sacbee.com)
Miami Herald Story Updated February 27, 2018 06:20 PM
A video posted to Facebook by a Fort Bragg, Calif., whale-watching company shows passengers leaning over the side of a boat to pet a passing gray whale in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Another shows the whale blasting a man with water from its spout as other passengers laugh.
The videos, posted Friday by Anchor Charter Boats, also could be evidence of a crime, according to experts consulted by KPIX.
The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act requires people, and boats, to stay at least 300 feet from whales, said Steve Jones, a spokesman for the Center for Biological Diversity, telling KPIX he was “kind of appalled” by the videos. He said violations can result in fines of up to $25,000 for the company and $10,000 for tourists, along with a year in jail. Read more.
