Aerial surveys seek to keep whales, ships apart

Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration pilots Francisco Fuenmayor, left, and Phil Hall check on the crew before taking off to perform a survey of boats and whales around the Channel Islands.
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Natalie Senyk, a physical scientist with the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, watches for ships, boats and whales while peering out from a bubble window during a NOAA survey around the Channel Islands. The Sanctuary Aerial Monitoring and Spatial Analysis Program hopes to survey the area to work with the shipping industry to prevent hitting whales.
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Monica DeAngelis, marine mammal biologist with the National Fisheries Services, takes notes during the NOAA flight as the crew performs a survey of boats and whales.
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A tall ship’s location was charted as part of the survey performed by the NOAA crew. The Sanctuary Aerial Monitoring and Spatial Analysis Program hopes to survey the area to work with the shipping industry to prevent hitting whales.
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A powerboat that was charted as part of the survey performed by the NOAA crew.
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Ben Waltenberger, a physical scientist with the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, keeps a watchful eye during a NOAA survey by air of boats and whales around the the Channel Islands.
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The location of a boat anchored off of Anacapa Island is part of the survey performed by the NOAA crew.
See full story   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)