The passage of humpback whales along the coast of the Marina Alta is a phenomenon under study. The Cape Fin whale project, carried out by the Research Institute for the Integrated Management of Coastal Zones of the UPV, aims to improve knowledge about the movements and migratory routes of these whales. But, anyone who wants to admire the beautiful phenomenon can do so calmly from land, advises the Valencia Oceanographic.
The chase of the whales
The spectacle left last weekend by the passage of these cetaceans along the coast of the region has highlighted the ignorance of recreational boats towards the legislation that protects whales. Or, rather, bad behavior or little respect towards them.
As reported by Ecologists in Acció Marina Alta and several media outlets, on Saturday, June 26, a group of boats chased the animals "as if it were entertainment or a show of consumption and without thinking about the consequences that behavior of bullying can cause.
It happened on the north face of Cap Prim Xàbia. "The situation was, at the very least, dangerous and stressful for the whales," notes the environmental group. This fact highlighted the great popularity that the passage of whales along the regional coast is acquiring and that in other parts of the planet it is used as a tourist attraction.
rammed fish
However, Ecologistes has also brought to light the images of a dead sunfish with propeller marks and obvious signs that the animal had been rammed by a motor boat. Some divers found it in the same location where the whale chase took place, only a day earlier.
After the serious incident of persecution suffered by the whales last Saturday, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, Mireia Mollà, has commissioned the Marine Surveillance Service to control the boats, as a way of guaranteeing the protection of animals and ensure responsible behavior towards them.
boat standards
From the Oceanogràfic de València they remember three essential aspects of protected whale watching in their social networks:
- It is forbidden to approach less than 60 meters from them.
- It is not allowed to sail in a straight line towards them.
- You need to stay below four knots when you are in the 60 to 300 meter radius.
Idiots don't die!
It is time for this stretch of coast to be declared in its entirety as a protected area with restricted access, without jet skis and massive crowds of motor boats. And constant vigilance is needed with the ability to sanction the innumerable infractions that are committed. In this way, excellence, quality and the conservation of this beautiful coast and its seabed are gained.
The fault lies with those disgusting huge bugs that do not respect the overcrowding of boats…. now it is OK!
What to look for other dates that are not the summer ones!!!
That they respect the weekends and that they stop approaching the coves!!!
Why do I have to stop going at 30 knots to go from the port to the sardine? Just for an animal? Just to catch a buoy to anchor?
More boats and less cetaceans!!!
Where was the seprona?
The information is false to date. Last Saturday was the 25th. Imagine the rest… “The selfie hunt…”
I understand from your editorial position that recreational boating is the target of manipulation and demagoguery. And to do that, you have to look for alibis: Posidonia, Whales,...
The images are clear. In addition, motor boating pollutes the atmosphere, the sea and generates noise pollution.
Yes . It can be 0,00001% of the polluting gas emissions