--- title: boating safety --- [![ANGLERS LOGO](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/hubfs/ANGLERS%20LOGO.png)](https://www.anglersforconservation.org?hsLang=en) - Events - [Outreach Programs](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/programs?hsLang=en) - [Events Calendar](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/events?hsLang=en) - Education - [Bait & Tackle](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/fishing-tackle?hsLang=en) - [Boating Safety](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/seagrass) - [Conservation](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/conservation?hsLang=en) - [Casting](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/casting?hsLang=en) - [Hooks & Rigging](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/monofilament-line-recycling?hsLang=en) - [Know the Fish](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/know-the-fish?hsLang=en) - [Safety & Rod Handling](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety?hsLang=en) - Support - Get Involved - [Work With Us](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/work-with-us?hsLang=en) - [Volunteer](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/volunteer?hsLang=en) - [Buy a License Plate](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved?hsLang=en) - Giving - [Donate](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/sponsor?hsLang=en) - [Become a Sponsor](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/become-a-sponsor-0?hsLang=en) - [Memorials & Tributes](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/memorials-tributes?hsLang=en) - About Us - [AFC History](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/afc-history?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/blog?hsLang=en) - [Contact Us](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety-0-0-0-0-1?hsLang=en) [Sponsor](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/sponsor?hsLang=en) [Volunteer](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/volunteer?hsLang=en) BIG PICTURE ## Be a Seagrass Safe Boater Seagrass beds are vital marine habitats, but they’re at risk from boating. Propeller scarring occurs when boats enter shallow waters, damaging seagrass root systems. In South Florida alone, over 30,000 acres of seagrass have been scarred by boat propellers. Recovery can take years, and repeated damage may prevent full restoration. Take action to protect these ecosystems:   Take the pledge to be a Seagrass Safe Boater and learn how to navigate responsibly.   [TAKE THE PLEDGE](https://beseagrasssafe.com/) LEAR MORE ![Images (LinkedIn Post) (4)](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/hubfs/Images%20(LinkedIn%20Post)%20(4).png "Images (LinkedIn Post) (4)") # Protecting the North Atlantic Right Whale Entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes are the leading causes of mortality for the North Atlantic Right Whale. To help protect these endangered whales, follow the critical safety measures listed below. ![Whale - Anglers](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/hubfs/Whale%20-%20Anglers.webp "Whale - Anglers") ![Whale tale](https://242086793.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hub/242086793/hubfs/Whale%20tale.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=Whale%20tale.jpg) **Keeping Distance**: Stay at least 500 yards away to avoid disturbing or stressing the whale, as required by federal law. ![kkkkkkk](https://242086793.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hub/242086793/hubfs/kkkkkkk.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=kkkkkkk.jpg) **Using the Right Gear**: Use whale-safe fishing gear, like weak links or rope-less systems, to prevent deadly entanglements. ![Boat Speed](https://242086793.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hub/242086793/hubfs/Boat%20Speed.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=Boat%20Speed.jpg) **Slowing Down**: Reduce vessel speed to 10 knots or less to lower the risk of collisions, a leading cause of whale deaths. WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU SPOT A RIGHT WHALE ##### Keep Distance Stay 500 yards away to reduce the risk of vessel interaction and injury.   ##### Use The Right Gear Use whale-safe gear to minimize entanglements in commercial gillnet   ##### SLOW DOWN! Slow your vessel in Right Whale Zones, established where Right Whales have been recently seen.   LEARN BEST PRACTICES ## Report Right Whale Sightings The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) provides essential guidelines to ensure safe boating practices that protect both wildlife and boaters. Follow their recommendations to contribute to marine conservation efforts:   **If you spot a right whale, report it immediately via:**  U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Ch. 16  877-WHALE-HELP (942-5343)   888-97-WHALE (94253) Be ready with:    Time and location (e.g., GPS)  Sighting details (number of whales, etc.)   IF YOU SEE A RIGHT WHALE ### Learn What to Do if You Spot a Right Whale From November to April, pregnant right whales migrate from northern feeding grounds to sheltered calving waters to give birth. Safe boating in whale areas protects you, your passengers, and right whale mothers and calves.   [GET THE EBOOK](https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/right-whales/boaters/) [![right-whale-boat](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/hubfs/right-whale-boat.webp)](https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/right-whales/boaters/) ![AFC-logo](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/hubfs/AFC-logo.png) PO Box 372423 Satellite Beach, FL United States   ### Programs - Hook Kids on Fishing - [Volunteer Program](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/volunteer?hsLang=en) - [Our Sponsors](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/our-sponsors?hsLang=en) - [Our Communities](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety-0-0-0-0-1?hsLang=en) ### Education - [Safety & Rod Handling](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety?hsLang=en) - [Fishing Tackle](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/fishing-tackle?hsLang=en) - [Hooks & Rigging](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/monofilament-line-recycling?hsLang=en) - [Know The Fish](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/know-the-fish?hsLang=en) - [Casting](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/casting?hsLang=en) - [Conservation](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/conservation?hsLang=en) - [Boating Safety](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/seagrass) ### Support AFC - [Donation Page](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/donate?hsLang=en) - [Sponsorship Opportunities](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/sponsor?hsLang=en) - [Volunteering Opportunities](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/volunteer?hsLang=en) ### About - [AFC History](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/afc-history?hsLang=en) - [Board and Staff](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/board-and-staff?hsLang=en) - [Our Sponsors](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/our-sponsors?hsLang=en) - [Our Programs](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/programs-2?hsLang=en) - Blog © 2025 Company All rights reserved Privacy Policy [Powered by Atlas - a B2B SaaS HubSpot theme](https://www.kalungi.com/atlas-hubspot-theme-for-b2b-saas-software)