There have been reports of sea kayakers and surfers who are approaching and possibly harassing, a small number of gray whales that have been feeding in nearshore waters off Pacifica for several weeks. The group of whale includes at least one calf.
Gray whales and other marine mammals are federally protected against harassment or other disruption by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.
The gray whale population has been declining. They are experiencing a depletion of their normal food in their Arctic feeding grounds due to the changing ocean conditions, and are being forced to find other feeding locations along their migration route. Approximately one third of the gray whale population died during 1999-2000, many of them emaciated. Any activity that might drive them away from a newfound foraging area, or cause them to dive more frequently or deeper, seeking safety from harassment, could constitute a violation of the MMPA.
NOAA’s guidelines to avoid harassing whales, is to remain at least one hundred yards away from whales.
Anyone seeing someone approach whales or other marine mammals within 100 yards is asked to notify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Enforcement Hotline 1-800 853-1964 and provide details of the incident.
Mary Jane Schramm
Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
Miramar area DSL problems, Sep 2 8:58am, Kevin Barron — >>more likely to cause AT&T to make the necessary investment Frankly, you are asking AT&T to sink a ton of money in a subscriber base that is very small, and require a very expensive infrastructure investment w/ predictably inverse ...
Miramar area DSL problems, Sep 1 7:12pm, Benjamin Grant — Michael, I had AT&T copper in my previous place but it was close to the CO and we had really good DSL throughput via DSLExtreme. I was also told the copper was fairly new-ish. Apart from the condition of the wires and the CO distance itself I ...
Miramar area DSL problems, Sep 1 10:38am, Steve Portigal — Do you have a thread going on the relevant forum on broadbandreports.com? It may catch the attention of someone who does care and wants to fix this. Hope you can get some resolution! ...
A ballot measure to increase HMB sales tax?, Aug 31 6:49pm, Bob Poole — Thanks for the heads up about San Mateo ...
A ballot measure to increase HMB sales tax?, Aug 31 5:21pm, Barry Parr — Sales taxes in San Mateo County communities: 9.25% Atherton 9.25% Belmont 9.25% Brisbane 9.25% Burlingame 9.25% Colma 9.25% Daly City 9.25% East Palo Alto 9.25% El Granada 9.25% Emerald Hills (Redwood City) 9.25% ...
A ballot measure to increase HMB sales tax?, Aug 31 5:14pm, Bob Poole — At least to San Mateo, as we do so often now, and it wouldn’t be just $1.00 on groceries. ...
A ballot measure to increase HMB sales tax?, Aug 31 4:22pm, Barry Parr — How far would you drive to save $1.00 on a $100 grocery bill, or $.03 on a latte? ...