Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law the New York Whale Awareness Act (A.8515A/S.2292B), which directs the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to establish comprehensive educational guidelines and recommendations designed to reduce marine mammal interactions and prevent vessel strikes in New York waters.
"New York’s ocean waters are cleaner and more vibrant than they have been in decades, drawing extraordinary marine life back to our shores," Governor Hochul said. "However, a higher concentration of whales navigating one of the busiest regions in the country creates serious risks for both boaters and marine mammal populations. The New York Whale Awareness Act ensures that everyone enjoying our state’s waterways has the tools and knowledge needed to navigate safely, avoid dangerous collisions and protect these special creatures."
The legislation integrates whale-safe boating education directly into existing state boater safety courses and vessel registration processes. By equipping boaters with standard best practices and collision-prevention techniques, the initiative aims to encourage safer navigation habits and prevent accidental injuries and deaths among local marine life, including humpback whales and the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.
There has been an increase in whale sightings off New York’s coastline, highlighting the timely need for boater education. Governor Hochul’s efforts to invest and restore New York’s local waters and improve fishery management have led to thriving fish populations, bringing back more whales to the state’s waterways. With more whales, it is essential that boaters are properly educated to protect our marine wildlife.
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