The Nature Conservancy Debuts Free Online Course to Help Protect Whales from Boat Strikes

Following decades of successful conservation work, New York’s coastal waters are now home to a thriving population of marine life—a remarkable recovery that has also increased the likelihood of boaters encountering whales. These interactions can pose serious risks to people on board and are often fatal for the whales.

In response, The Nature Conservancy is pleased to introduce Eyes on the Water: Boating with Whales, an interactive, scenario-based online course designed to equip boat operators with the knowledge and skills needed to avoid collisions with whales and other marine animals. Developed in collaboration with Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island, Gotham Whale, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Wildlife Conservation Society, the course is now available at BoatingWithWhales.com.

The course combines marine mammal expertise with practical boating knowledge to deliver an enriched learning experience free to participants. Upon completing the course, boaters will be able to:

• Identify whale species commonly found in New York waters
• Recognize signs of whale presence and understand the risks of vessel strikes
• Operate safely and lawfully in the presence of marine mammals
• Report sightings and entanglements to the proper authorities

“Thanks to decades of conservation efforts, New York’s coastal waters are alive with marine life, including whales,” said Carl LoBue, oceans and fisheries director of The Nature Conservancy in New York. “With this comeback comes added responsibility. Vessel strikes happen far too frequently, often with deadly consequences for whales. Our new Eyes on the Water course puts boaters right at the helm in real-world scenarios and provides them with the tools they need to navigate safely. This is one of many ways we’re working to improve ocean health in New York and around the world, so animals like this can thrive.” 

Encounters with whales can seriously injure passengers, damage vessels, and harm marine life. A recent study found a high percentage of humpback whales in the New York Bight exhibit scarring indicative of fishing gear entanglement and/or vessel strikes. 

“New York’s conservation successes have brought whales and other marine life back to the state’s coastal waters in greater numbers than we have seen in generations,” said Martin Gary, director of the Division of Marine Resources at the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. “With this recovery comes a duty to protect both these incredible animals and the people who share the water with them. The Eyes on the Water: Boating with Whales course, developed by The Nature Conservancy and partners, helps boaters protect marine life while keeping people safe on the water.” 

“Gotham Whale is proud to contribute to this highly anticipated whale-safe boating course,” said Danielle M. Brown, Ph.D., director of research at Gotham Whale. “Whales have become an exciting part of our local ecosystem, but it is important to remember that they are still vulnerable to human activities. This course offers an engaging way to learn more about local whale species, while also emphasizing responsible whale-safe fishing and boating practices. As the likelihood of encountering whales in New York waters increases, it is essential to understand how to best coexist with these giants.” 

“Every year we see whales with devastating scars from vessel strikes, but this summer we witnessed the injuries in near-real time,” said Arthur H. Kopelman, Ph.D., president of the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island. “A humpback mother–calf pair was photographed healthy one day, and less than two days later the mother had a massive gash from a collision. Sadly, the calf may have been injured as well. These accidents can be prevented, and this course is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and educate boaters on how to avoid harming whales and other marine life.”

“Safe boating is the first line of defense in protecting the whales and other marine life we share an environment with,” said Robert A. DiGiovanni, Jr., executive director and chief scientist at the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. “As New York’s primary responders, we investigate the causes of death for whales, as well as dolphins, seals, and sea turtles, and have documented too many vessel interactions in recent years. These animals are returning to our area, and we need to make their feeding and migratory grounds safe while preserving the coastal way of life that so many of us cherish. We can coexist, and this course will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of humans and animals."

While currently voluntary, Eyes on the Water: Boating with Whales is built for seamless integration into New York’s mandatory boating safety programs. It is a critical step toward a future where people and whales can safely share the water. For more information, visit BoatingWithWhales.com.