さあ！諸君！捕鯨問題だ！

U.S. Proposes Buffer for Humpback Whales in Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Seeking to prevent whale-watching boats from bothering humpback whales, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service on Monday proposed that the vessels be kept at least 200 yards away from the marine mammals in Alaska's waters.

``There is a high potential for vessels to disturb marine mammals, so we have developed draft measures to minimize disturbances while still providing a satisfactory whale-watching opportunity,'' said Jim Balsinger, Alaska regional administrator for the agency.

The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act forbids harassment or ``taking'' of whales and other marine mammals. But the enforcement generally requires a deliberate attempt by boaters to get near whales, thus disturbing them, said Carol Tocco, spokeswoman for the National Marine Fisheries Service in Alaska.