Experts monitor whale in waters off NY, NJ

NEW YORK (AP) — Experts say they've been monitoring reports of a humpback whale in the waters between New York City and New Jersey.

The Advance says a boater made a video of the whale last week off Staten Island.

Mendy Garron of the Massachusetts-based Marine Mammal Response Program says the video indicates the whale was "logging." That's the term used when a whale floats at the surface, like a log.

Garron says whales can sleep that way.

Authorities cite a higher-than-usual number of boat collisions with whales along the eastern seaboard. The New York environmental conservation department is urging boaters to go slowly.

Garron says boaters should keep a safe distance from all marine wildlife. He notes that humpback whales are protected under federal law.

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