Monterey Marine Biologist and the co-Owner of Monterey Bay Whale Watch, Nancy Black, was sentenced yesterday (mon) for violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Black was sentenced to 3 years of probation, $12,500 in fines, and 300 hours of community service. The fine was half of what prosecutors requested. Black initially faced a 27-year prison term and a $700,000 fine. The investigation began after complaints made by other whale-watch captains who said Black was too aggressive in her approach to whales in sanctuary. A video Black was reportedly using for scientific research, showed her feeding whale blubber to orcas to capture the whale’s feeding habits beneath the water’s surface.
