New York’s marine waters are home to several marine animals and offer the potential for some incredible views, especially as whales and other marine animals follow bait fish close to shore. Whether on the beach or on the water, if you see protected animals like whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, or Atlantic sturgeon, follow the tips below to keep the animals and your passengers safe.

Mind your distance!

• North Atlantic right whales: 1500 feet or 5 football field lengths (required by law)
• Whales not including right whales: 300 feet-600 feet.
• Seals, and dolphins: 150 feet
• Leaping sturgeon also require extra space to avoid injury to you and the fish.

 Don’t Chase!

• If a whale approaches within 100 feet of your vessel, put your engine in neutral. Do not re-engage your engine until the whale is observed on the surface, outside of the 300-foot or 1500-foot (if it’s a right whale) zone.
• Don’t follow or chase marine animals.
• Don’t cut through their path—you could separate moms and calves.

If you are fishing from a boat or from shore and you see marine animals feeding in the water, do not cast your line near them. That increases the risk of marine animals getting hooked or ingesting your fishing line!

If you come across a marine mammal or sea turtle that appears to be in distress or is dead, please call the 24-hour New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline at (631) 369-9829. The response teams from Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) and New York Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC) will send out a team of biologists to assess the situation