20120719 New England whale watching industry flourishes

The New England billion-dollar whale watching industry is flourishing enabling cruise operators to guarantee sightings. New England Stellwagen Bank is the only federally protected National Marine Sanctuary in the northeast United States.

A close up view of Humpback whales allows distinction of their white fins for which they get their scientific name, Megaptera novaeangliae, which means "big winged New Englander" and refers to their exceptionally long pectoral flippers. Boston, MA, USA. 19-July-2012.

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A close up view of Humpback whales allows distinction of their white fins for which they get their scientific name, Megaptera novaeangliae, which means "big winged New Englander" and refers to their exceptionally long pectoral flippers. Boston, MA, USA. 19-July-2012.

Boston Massachusetts Megaptera novaeangliae Stellwagen Bank USA United States of America activity atlantic ocean big winged New Englander fun humpback humpback whale humpbacks marine sanctuary pectoral flippers recreation whale whale watching whalewatching whales 20120719USA