New York boaters will receive more guidance on how to safely navigate around whales under a new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The New York Whale Awareness Act, signed Aug. 10, directs the state Department of Environmental Conservation to develop educational guidelines and materials aimed at reducing interactions between vessels and marine mammals and preventing vessel strikes. The information will be incorporated into existing boater safety courses and vessel registration materials.
The legislation comes as whale sightings have increased along the coastlines of New York State.
“There is something truly special about seeing whales breaching just off our shores,” East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said. “It reminds us how fortunate we are to call East Hampton home, and how important it is that we care for the waters we share.”
The law is intended to provide boaters with information about safely sharing the water with whales, including humpback whales and the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.
“Our culture, our heritage, and our livelihoods are intertwined with the Atlantic Ocean,” Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker said. “This legislation providing education and awareness on marine safety and interaction with marine life will benefit our communities as we learn better ways to share, protect, and live with our natural environment.”
In Montauk, where whale sightings have become increasingly familiar, the law also drew support from local organizations.
“Whales are an essential part of our marine ecosystem and a powerful reminder of the richness and resilience of our coastal waters,” said Kay Tyler, executive director of Concerned Citizens of Montauk. “In Montauk, where whale sightings have become a special part of our community’s character, we have a shared responsibility to protect these magnificent animals.”
Montauk Chamber of Commerce President Leo Daunt said the community has seen both the return of marine life and the need to protect it.
“Montauk’s identity, economy, and way of life have always been tied to the ocean,” Daunt said. “As one of New York’s premier fishing and whale-watching communities, we see firsthand both the incredible resurgence of marine life in our waters and the responsibility we have to protect it.”
Hochul said the increase in whales also presents risks in heavily traveled waters.
“New York’s ocean waters are cleaner and more vibrant than they have been in decades, drawing extraordinary marine life back to our shores,” Hochul said. “However, a higher concentration of whales navigating one of the busiest regions in the country creates serious risks for both boaters and marine mammal populations.”