Boat Strikes of Marine Animals
Boat strikes of marine animals are increasingly common, for obvious reasons. It is disappointing to observe a marine animal severely or mortally wounded by a collision with a boat. We have encountered several marine animals bearing unmistakable boat propeller scars:
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| North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge. Maui, Hawaii, USA. Image: 05910 Species: Megaptera novaeangliae See usage restrictions |
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| Ocean sunfish injured by boat prop with cleaner fishes, open ocean, Baja California. Image: 06410 Species: Mola mola |
Gray whale dorsal aspect showing injury/wound/indentation likely caused by boat, Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California. Image: 06426 Species: Eschrichtius robustus |
West Indian manatee. Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River, Florida, USA. Image: 02651 Species: Trichechus manatus |
See more boat strike and propeller scar photos.
Keywords: propeller scar photo, boat strike, injury, photograph, boat collision.
The humpback whale photograph was taken during Hawaii Whale Research Foundation research activities conducted under provisions of NOAA / NMFS and State of Hawaii scientific research permits.
