Local News
Whale of a show
Herring fishing ban linked to increase in sightings offshore
The Newburyport Whale Watch has sighted an average of four or five whales per boating trip in years past.
This summer, people on local whale watches out of the Merrimack River are getting a show far above average.
On average, 10 to 15 whales are being spotted on each excursion, with a trip last week spotting 18, along with a pod of dolphins.
More whales mean more business, and the Newburyport Whale Watch had the most boat sellouts ever this year, despite the sluggish economy, with many repeat customers. Just this past week, whale enthusiasts arrived from Hawaii, Mexico, England, Ireland and South America to get a glimpse of a humpback breaching or a finback feeding.
There is no conclusive answer to explain the whale phenomena, but Dianna Schulte of the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation saw an immediate population jump after herring fisherman were restricted from Jeffreys Bank, fishing grounds of the Gulf of Maine.
The herring ban lasts from May to June, the same months that whales migrate northward. Schulte speculates that whales are thriving in Jeffreys Bank because their primary food source, herring, is now readily available.
A trip last Wednesday proved a big success, with people darting back and forth across the boat to witness the whales, porpoises and dolphins emerging from the ocean.
A total of 18 whales were sighted, 11 of which were humpback whales, an endangered species. Approximately 30,000 exist today, with 10,000 to 12,000 residing in the North Atlantic waters. In addition to the humpbacks, five finback whales, two minke whales, 10 harbor porpoises and 10 to 15 white-sided Atlantic dolphins were spotted.
"It was a magnificent show," said Jonanne Westlund, one of the passengers. "The whales did everything from spinning to breaching, and the dolphins were in a frenzy. We didn't have time to take a breath."
Gail Nelson, a local resident, agreed.
"It was thrilling," said Nelson. "I couldn't believe that we got so close to the whales."
Schulte narrated the sea safari, providing comprehensible statistics, such as the daily caloric intake of a whale is equal to the consumption of 8,000 Reese's Peanut Butter cups.
Debbie Sargeant of Merrimac was also on the Prince on Whales with her two sons, Eric and Ryan. The four-hour adventure was the family's first trip since the death of Debbie's husband two months ago.
"We've had a blast," Sargeant said. "This is the first trip since their dad passed away, and it broadened our horizons. Life does go on."
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Waves, rescues surge
SALISBURY BEACH — There has been little downtime for Salisbury Beach lifeguards over the past few days, as massive waves have led to frequent rescues and injuries to beach-goers.
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Tuesday set a notable record: Lifeguards conducted at least 18 rescues, about half of all the rescues they have conducted this summer. Lifeguard supervisor George Nigro said a combination of warm water, hot temperatures, high surf and a high volume of swimmers led to the busy day. -
MEMA: Earl's impacts still unclear
NEWBURYPORT — As Hurricane Earl spun toward North Carolina's Outer Banks, local officials were preparing for the worst yesterday, though forecasters continued to expect the storm to veer to the northeast sometime today.
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Chief: Flaggers 'not a good arrangement'
AMESBURY — As the state embarks on a long-awaited widening of Amesbury's Route 110 roadway, local police are expressing some disappointment that the Massachusetts Highway Department is choosing to use flagmen instead of the town's police force to handle increased traffic during construction.
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Councilors balk at $10K for charter consultant
NEWBURYPORT — The City Council hesitated this week when faced with a request from the Charter Commission for $10,000 to hire a consultant to assist in the charter review process, saying they needed more specific information about what the money will go toward.
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City wins $625K to fight youth substance abuse
NEWBURYPORT — The city has received a five-year federal grant totaling $625,000, which will ensure that the Beacon Coalition program will continue to flourish and grow.
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The Beacon Coalition was awarded a $125,000 annual Drug Free Communities Support Program grant for five years from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. - Heard Around Town
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Waves, rescues surge
