What is the federally mandated approach distance when approaching right whales?

• A. 500-yard approach limit by law
• B. Avoid sudden moves, keep steady course
• C. Provide habitat near coast
• D. Protected, avoid disturbing nests

Answer: (A)

The key idea is the legal distance you must keep from North Atlantic right whales. Federal regulations require vessels to stay at least 500 yards away from right whales to minimize disturbance, reduce the risk of collision, and protect their feeding and calving activities. For someone paddling a kayak, this means if you sight a whale, slow down or stop and maneuver to maintain that 500-yard separation, avoiding any attempt to approach or chase the animal.

While staying calm and avoiding sudden moves is good practice for minimizing disturbance, the crucial point here is the mandated distance. The other options describe general safe boating behavior or misstate wildlife needs (whales don’t nest in the way birds do, so protecting nests isn’t the applicable concern).