Lower boat speed limit sought for whales' sake

Scientists cite collisions between vessels and sea mammals in Hawaii

By Gary T. Kubota

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 25, 2013

~~<p>A spate of collisions between vessels and endangered humpback whales has prompted some scientists to call for stricter rules — including boating speed limits — in the animals' winter migratory waters in Hawaii.</p>
<p>But some commercial vessel operators argue the rules are unnecessary because the humpbacks are thriving. One estimate, the number of whales migrating between Alaska and Hawaii, has increased at least 15 times in a little more than 30 years.</p>
~~

A spate of collisions between vessels and endangered humpback whales has prompted some scientists to call for stricter rules — including boating speed limits — in the animals' winter migratory waters in Hawaii.

But some commercial vessel operators argue the rules are unnecessary because the humpbacks are thriving. One estimate, the number of whales migrating between Alaska and Hawaii, has increased at least 15 times in a little more than 30 years. Login for more...