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Posted: Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 9:22 AM HST

Scientists seek to slow boats to spare whales

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Some scientists are calling for boat traffic to slow down after a spate of collisions between vessels and endangered humpback whales in Hawai`i waters. The scientists want stricter rules, but some commercial vessel operators argue the rules are unnecessary because humpbacks are thriving. One estimate says the number of whales migrating between Alaska and Hawai`i has increased at least 15 times in a little more than 30 years. However, several collisions of late have scientists seeking to slow boat traffic when the whales are in Hawaii waters during their winter migration.