Boaters Beware: Whales Spotted in Long Island Sound

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is warning boaters to be mindful of feeding humpback whales that have been spotted in Long Island Sound. Several whales are thought to be feeding on small fish in the area.

"In addition to keeping a sharp lookout, we also ask that should the whales approach your boat, you put your boat in neutral until they have passed safely," said Mendy Garron, NOAA Fisheries marine mammal response coordinator. "Also, please report any sightings. Locating the whales will help us keep them safe."

Boaters should stay at least 100 feet away from feeding whales for the safety of whales and humans.

"Humpbacks create bubble clouds to corral their prey, and then lunge through the center to swallow the small fish," Garron said. "Fishermen or boaters in these bubble patches run the risk of colliding with a massive whale as it rapidly approaches the surface."

Whales can be badly injured or killed in a boat collision, and boaters can be easily thrown from their vessels.

Related: Whale Spotted Off Connecticut Coast

It is illegal to harm, injure, kill, chase or harass whales or any other marine mammal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Harassment includes making a whale change its behavior, including feeding. Boaters who are too close to the animals could disturb feeding.

Humpback whales weigh between 25-40 tons and are up to 60 feet in length, with newborns weighing in at about a ton, according to NOAA.

They live about 50 years and eat mostly krill, plankton and small fish. They can consume up to 3,000 pounds of food per day.

They are primarily gray, but there is a variable amount of white with individuals.

More from NOAA:

Please report any sightings to NOAA Fisheries' Marine Mammal Stranding and Entanglement Hotline at 866-755-NOAA (6622) or, in Connecticut waters, to Mystic Aquarium's Animal Rescue Hotline at 860.572.5955 ext. 107, and in New York waters, to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation's stranding hotline at 631-369-9829.

Interaction with humpback whales and all marine mammals is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Please report harassment to the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement Hotline at 800-853-1964.

Image via NOA