Some good news for whales! New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Whale Awareness Act into law, taking an important step to protect whales from deadly vessel strikes in the state’s increasingly busy coastal waters. The new law will help ensure boaters are better prepared to recognize when whales may be nearby and understand how to navigate safely around them, helping reduce preventable collisions that can cause catastrophic injuries and death.

New York’s coastline is a busy waterway that has seen an increase in the number of whales that visit the area. Research and monitoring show that whales are using these waters year-round and are coming closer to shore. Many vessel operators still do not expect to encounter whales, increasing the risk of a deadly collision. It is imperative that the state take steps to decrease this risk. The Whale Awareness Act is an important step in achieving that goal.

Boaters must be educated on how to avoid collisions. The Whale Awareness Act directs the Department of Environmental Conservation to establish educational guidelines and recommendations to reduce the risk of deadly vessel strikes. Whale-safe boating education will be integrated into the existing boater safety courses along with the vessel registration processes.

Vessel strikes are a leading cause of death in many whale species. If the whale isn’t killed on impact, the injuries can cause a prolonged, excruciating death. This is preventable, and education is the first step in protecting whales in New York’s waters.

We thank everyone who took action to support this bill, especially our supporters in New York who signed our alert.