SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Boaters near the San Francisco Bay have been warned by Marine officials to be extra cautious when traveling near endangered whales.
Due to the number of endangered whales that has been recently documented near the Farallon Islands, the Farallon Sanctuary has asked vessels passing through to maintain a minimum distance to prevent life-threatening collisions.
Authorities say reports of smaller vessels approaching whales closer than the 300-feet federal minimum have been increasing near Pacifica, Pillar Point and Golden Gate Strait.
On July 4 authorities counted 115 endangered whales during a one hour time span in the Farallon Island area.
Larger vessels are being urged to bring their speeds to 10 knots in the vessel traffic lanes approaching San Francisco.
Officials report some of the endangered species include blue and humpback whales.