Stellwagen Bank Final EIS and Management Plan 



Page 46 



Management. 



2. Commercial Charterboating 



In addition to commercial fishing, numerous 

 vessels engage in the commercial enterprises of 

 whalewatching and sportfishing activities focused on 

 the Stellwagen Bank area. 



a. Whalewatching 



Although both large and small cetacean species 

 have been attracted to Stellwagen Bank as a feeding 

 ground (and nursery ground for some species) for 

 many years, the relatively recent focus of scientific 

 attention on several endangered species of "great" 

 whales has also drawn the public's attention and 

 interest to these species, and in opportunities to 

 observe them in natural habitats. 



Whalewatching is more than an important 

 economic activity; whalewatch vessels iifford 

 recreational and educational, as well as scientific 

 opportunities to learn more about marine mammals. 

 The combination of public interest and the 

 accessibility of Stellwagen Bank from several ports 

 has resulted in a commercial whalewatching industry 

 which has steadily grown in popularity and revenues 

 since its inception in this area in 1976. 



Whalewatching trips are often combined with 

 opportunities for observing marine birds, 

 particularly when naturalists are aboard vessels to 

 identify and discuss various species. 



Whalewatching companies operate out of ports 

 from Maine to Connecticut, and are largely focused 

 on Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge to the north 

 (offshore of Cape Ann). By the 1985 season, at 

 least twenty-one whalewatch companies were 

 operating throughout these areas, employing 

 between 40 and 48 vessels (MacKenzie, 1986). The 

 majority of these vessels are based in 

 Massachu-setts, and operate primarily out of 

 Gloucester and Provincetown. Trips are conducted 

 from late April through September or early 

 October. 



Humpback whales are the primary target of 

 whalewatch trips because of their long seasonal 



residence around the Bank, and because of their 

 highly visible markings and behavior patterns. In 

 addition to humpbacks, fm whales, minke whales, 

 and white-sided dolphins are commonly seen in the 

 vicinity of Stellwagen Bank. Northern right whales 

 are less frequently encountered, owing both to their 

 more critically-endangered population status (i.e., 

 fewer right whales overall frequent Stellwagen 

 Bank), and to the shorter period of residence 

 around the Bank (generally late winter or early 

 spring to approximately July). 



Whalewatch vessels range in size anywhere from 

 approximately 50 feet (35-40 passenger capacity) to 

 over 140 feet (400 passenger capacity). Depending 

 on the originating port, a vessel may make one, two 

 or even three trips per day to the Bank area. 

 Hassol (1987) estimated approximately 1.5 miUion 

 persons participate annually in whalewatching trips 

 to Stellwagen Bank; and found that ticket prices 

 averaged $15.00 during the period of 1985 and 1986. 

 Annucd revenues from commercial whalewatching 

 for this two-year period were thus estimated at 

 sUghtly over $20 million. (J. Hassol, 1987). A 

 separate study has also provided an estimate of 

 more than 9,200 vessel trips were to Stellwagen 

 Bank in 1985, carrying approximately 1.25 million 

 passengers (W.T. Rummage, 1990). 



The number of commercial whalewatch vessels 

 declined in 1986 due to the shift in humpback whale 

 presence that year, a change attributed to observed 

 changes in sand lance distribution. The following 

 year, however, the humpbacks returned to the Bank 

 and the commercial whalewatch business resumed 

 at full strength. Revenues (ticket price only) 

 projected for the 1990 season were $17.6 million 

 (W.T. Rummage, 1990). 



Along with increased levels of commercial (as 

 well as private) whalewatching activities, have come 

 increased concerns regarding potentially adverse 

 effects of such activities on the whales, and 

 particularly on endangered or threatened whale 

 species. Researchers, conservationists, 



Federal/State managers, and others have considered 

 the possibility that any vessel activity near marine 

 mammals may disrupt feeding behavior or cause 

 abandonment of feeding areas; displace cow/calf 

 pairs; or induce avoidance behavior requiring 



