Last week, a couple of whales were spotted in Boston Harbor. For those of us who grew up in Boston during the 1970s and 1980s, when many of our rivers and the harbor were used as toxic chemical and sewage dumps, the sight of seals and now whales in the harbor is a clear indication that we have come to understand the importance of preserving our most vital and fragile natural resource.
We are not going to speculate on whether the presence of whales in the Harbor is a positive development (as many experts agree that dwindling food supplies are prompting these ocean giants to venture so close to shore). However, we do want to emphasize that the Harbor clean-up has been successful, to the extent that wildlife can now live and thrive within a natural food chain.
We would like to remind boaters to remain alert for these magnificent creatures, which can be as long as 35 feet, and to maintain a safe distance from them in their natural habitat.