New England’s marine waters are home to a diverse array of marine animals that frequently follow baitfish close to shore, offering incredible viewing opportunities from both the beach and the water. To ensure the safety of both passengers and wildlife, anglers, boaters and beachgoers are being reminded to maintain a safe distance when they encounter protected species like whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, or Atlantic sturgeon.
Under federal law, boaters must maintain a distance of at least 1,500 feet, or the length of five football fields, from North Atlantic right whales. For all other whale species, vessels should stay between 300 and 600 feet away, while a minimum distance of 150 feet must be maintained for seals and dolphins. Additionally, operators should give extra space to leaping sturgeon to prevent serious injury to both the fish and the people on board.
Boaters must never follow or chase marine mammals, nor should they ever cut through their path, which can separate mothers from their calves or result in accidental boat strikes which can be dangerous for you and your passengers and deadly to the animal. If a whale approaches within 100 feet of a vessel, the captain should immediately put the engine in neutral and keep it disengaged until the whale is observed on the surface safely outside of the legal boundary zone. Anglers fishing from a boat the shoreline must also exercise caution and refrain from casting lines near feeding marine animals, as this significantly increases the risk of wildlife being hooked or becoming entangled in their line.
Keeping a safe distance is as much about the safety of you and your passengers as it is about protecting marine wildlife. Follow the rules and you can enjoy the amazing experience of observing marine wildlife and everyone onboard will be safe and making memories they may never forget.
