Launches a Complimentary Digital Tutorial for Minimizing Whale Collisions with Marine Vessels

In the thriving coastal waters of New York, a growing number of whales are making their home, and boaters are being encouraged to learn how to share the water safely with these magnificent creatures. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation, along with several marine conservation societies, have developed an online course called "Eyes on the Water: Boating with Whales."

Martin Gary, the director of the Division of Marine Resources, emphasizes the importance of protecting both marine animals and people who share the water. The course aims to equip boat operators with the knowledge and skills to avoid collisions with whales and other marine animals. Boaters who complete the course will understand signs of whale presence and the risks of vessel strikes.

The engaging course also teaches boaters how to operate safely and lawfully in the presence of marine mammals. Gotham Whale, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the study of whales in New York waters, contributes to the course by focusing on responsible whale-safe fishing and boating practices.

A recent study found a high percentage of humpback whales in the New York Bight exhibit scarring indicative of fishing gear entanglement and/or vessel strikes. This underscores the need for the course, as vessel strikes happen too frequently and often have deadly consequences for whales, according to Carl LoBue, oceans and fisheries director of Our website in New York.

The course is built for seamless integration into New York's mandatory boating safety programs. Upon completing the course, boaters will be able to identify whale species commonly found in New York waters. Robert A. DiGiovanni, Jr., executive director and chief scientist at the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, stresses the importance of safe boating as the first line of defense in protecting whales and other marine life.

Arthur H. Kopelman, Ph.D., president of the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island, highlights the increasing likelihood of encountering whales in New York waters and the importance of understanding how to coexist with them. The recovery of marine life in New York's coastal waters, including whales, is at a level not seen in generations.

To learn more about the "Eyes on the Water: Boating with Whales" course and protect marine life while keeping people safe on the water, visit BoatingWithWhales.com. The new online course is a critical step toward a future where people and whales can safely share the water.

Launches a Complimentary Digital Tutorial for Minimizing Whale Collisions with Marine Vessels