Boaters warned of whales in San Francisco Bay
Mar 9, 2012, 12:04 AM
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – At least one gray whale is still hanging around San Francisco Bay a day after a mother and her calf were first spotted near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Federal wildlife officials say whale spray was seen again Thursday morning as boaters were warned to steer clear of the wayward pair if spotted. It wasn’t clear if the spray was from one or two whales.
Farallones Marine Sanctuary spokeswoman Mary Jane Schramm says witnesses observed a small boat speeding toward the whales, forcing the pair to get out of the way. Schramm says boaters who harass whales could face civil and criminal penalties.
Thousands of gray whales migrate each spring from off the coast of Mexico to feeding grounds off Alaska. Several whales typically wander into the bay each year.
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