Whale spotted feeding in Boston Harbor

BOSTON, Mass. — A humpback whale was spotted eating fish in Boston Harbor on Tuesday.

A Boston Harbor cruise spotted a juvenile humpback in the Harbor.

"Since Friday, Boston Harbor Cruises has seen 5-6 humpback whales swimming just less than a quarter of a mile from downtown Boston – an extremely rare occurrence," said Greene.

Leaders at the New England Aquarium said it had been eating fish and going in and out of the harbor.

Sheila Greene at Boston Harbor Cruises said they had observed several whales feeding off of Boston Light and Spectacle Island recently.

Laura Howes, director of research and education at Boston Harbor Cruises, said half a dozen whales have been seen feeding in the harbor in the last few days.

However, Howes said one whale seems to be sticking around.

"This young whale just has happened to have found food here, and as long as there is food here, it might stick around longer," Howes said. "Kinda like your teenager whale, maybe a little wayward, doesn't know where it's going."

Visitors who went on whale watches from Boston to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary were pleased with the results of the trip.

"We saw 7-10 whales that were breaching and flippers all over," Wrentham native Cassie Wallace said. "It was amazing."

However, the real excitement from the show comes from how close to the city it now is.

"It was like one mile from Deer Island," Winthrop native Ashley McGonagle said. "It breached right next to our boat, we immediately threw the boat into reverse and tried to get out."

The concern now turns to the safety of the whales, and those out on the boats, as well.

"We are very worried it could get hit by a boat," Howes said.

Greene advised that recreational boaters go slow, keep at least 100-300 feet away, and be vigilant for any updates from the Coast Guard.

They should not try to touch, feed, or swim with the whale, she said.

The U.S. Coast Guard said no channels are being changed due to the whales.