Posted on: Saturday, January 24, 2004

EDITORIAL
New whale behavior calls for caution

A fascinating article by Advertiser Science Writer Jan TenBruggencate on the changing behavior of whales underscores the importance of the rules governing our interaction with these compelling creatures.

TenBruggencate reports that since sanctuaries have been established to protect whales from harassment, they have increased both in numbers and in confidence.

Many younger whales have never experienced hostile or threatening behavior from humans (either in the water or on a boat) and so have no fear.

This is exciting for whale watchers, but it also reminds us that there are dangers — both for humans and for whales — when contact is too close.

Whale observers are not supposed to come closer than 100 yards to any whale. Professional whale-watching operations are aware of this restriction and do their best to keep their distance.

But individuals may not always know the rules.

Now that the whales are beginning to approach, rather than flee from, humans, it becomes even more important that the rules are widely known and carefully obeyed.