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Community Corner

Gray Whales Spotted Again in the Bay

Coast Guard tells boaters to be wary of whales

Whale sightings in the Bay have increased over the last several days, including the sighting of a mother and a young calf, as Pacific gray whales are migrating from breeding areas near Mexico to feeding areas near Alaska, officials from the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary said.

This morning at least one gray whale has been seen near Blossom Rock, a submerged rock near Yerba Buena Island. "Our vessel trafficking service has issued an active broadcast warning mariners to keep a close eye out for the whales in certain locations," including Blossom Rock, Coast Guard Officer Mark Leahey said.

According to federal law, boaters must stay 50 yards or more away from whales, as collisions could be disastrous for both the whales and the boats, officials said, subject to criminal penalties of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

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Farallones Sanctuary spokeswoman Mary Jane Schramm recommended that anyone who wants a close encounter with a whale go on a whale-watching trip with a captain who knows how to navigate near whales and a naturalist to explain whale behavior.

Locally, some biking and river operators are, off the record, looking into setting up whale watching trips for locals and visitors to wine country.

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In addition, anyone looking to learn more about whales and marine life could also visit the on-going San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, at the Bay Theater on Pier 39, next to the Aquarium of the Bay.

Bay Area residents may see more whales throughout the spring, as San Francisco Bay and some of the more shallow surrounding waters are a frequent resting point for whales making the long 6,000 mile migration from Mexico to Alaska, marine sanctuary spokeswoman Mary Jane Schramm said.

While not much of a whale is usually visible on the surface, whales can be spotted by their blow, which looks like a puff of smoke about 10 to 15 feet high. Whales will blow several times before diving for three to six minutes, Schramm said.

She said that mothers with young calves can be particularly vulnerable to boaters, because if the mother and calf are separated, the calf would starve.

San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, which began Thursday night and will last through Sunday, and includes films on sharks, surfing, ocean exploration and ocean sports like sailing.

From Bay City News Service

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