IMO Adopts Whale Protections, Extended West Coast Vessel Lanes

IMO Adopts Whale Protections, Extended West Coast Vessel Lanes

Vessels along the California coast are to begin lining up for port entry farther west and away from the continental shelf in an effort to protect endangered whales beginning this summer, NOAA announced Jan. 5. The International Maritime Organization recently adopted a proposal by the U.S. to expand the area that ships should avoid to allow more protected space for endangered blue, fin and humpback whales. The proposal is expected to go into effect after the spring. The 13-nautical-mile vessel traffic lane extension means that ships would line up for port entry farther west. It also means that the area…
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USCG Launches Pacific Northwest Whale Awareness Program

USCG Launches Pacific Northwest Whale Awareness Program

U.S. Coast Guard officials in the Pacific Northwest are asking boaters to be mindful of sharing local waters with whales this summer. As part of its “Operation Be Whale Wise” launch July 1, the USCG is partnering with other agencies on the effort to make the public, including boaters, more aware of the orcas in the Puget Sound. That includes the enforcement of buffer zones and other vessel rules. Under federal rules, vessels are not allowed to approach killer whales within 200 yards or park in the path of killer whales. In 2019, the State of Washington required vessels to…
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