Humpbacks Swim Dangerously Close To People At Santa Cruz Shore

SANTA CRUZ (KCBS) – As many as 11 humpback whales have been feeding unusually close to the Santa Cruz shoreline, and there's concern that interested boaters, kayakers and surfers are getting too close. Wednesday marks a second day of increased enforcement near the boardwalk to protect the whales, and the people in the water.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Paul Michel said that the humpbacks are close to shore because that's where the krill and other small fish like anchovies are this time of year, but their close proximity combined with some very nice weather are drawing lots of waterborne spectator activity too.

"We've seen anywhere from 75 to 100 people out there on the water close to these whales," said Michel.

Michel said that some kayaks have been overturned by the breaching whales. They've even caught some people trying to touch the humpbacks.

"Remember, these whales have to eat a lot of food to stay warm and healthy, and if we interrupt their feeding behavior then we damage those whales and keep them from being healthy animals," said Michel.

Michel said that harbor patrol and fish and game officers will be keeping people away from the whales until they move on. Regulations protecting marine mammals from harassment or injury advise boaters to stay at least 100 yards away from the feeding humpbacks.