One of about 522 North Atlantic right whales left in the world was struck and injured by a boat in Cape Cod Bay Wednesday, the Center for Coastal Studies
The young female whale was photographed Saturday uninjured. Wednesday, after researches learned of reports that a boat hit a whale, it was seen with propeller wounds on its head and blowholes.
The CCS, the Massachusetts Environmental Police, the State Division of Marine Fisheries and the U.S. Coast Guard are reminding boaters to be alert about the presence of the whales, as such crashes are detrimental to the extremely endangered animals and humans alike.
Boaters should keep their speed under 10 knots in Cape Cod Bay and be aware of their surroundings. It is against state and federal law to approach the 500 yard radius around a right whale. Fishermen should wait until whales leave their areas before setting their gear.
