THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 4, 1995 TAG: 9504040397
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
Whale-watching trips sponsored by the Virginia Marine Science Museum have been suspended, as the whales have apparently moved on.
After spotting whales on nearly every ocean excursion since mid-January, no whales were spotted on boat tours over the weekend.
``We don't want to mislead the public into thinking we'll see them, so we're stopping,'' said Lynn Clements, museum spokeswoman.
Since mid-January, 23,618 people have gone whale-watching with the museum. Whales had been spotted on a record 90 percent of trips. Between Jan. 27. and March 26, whales were seen on all but three trips.
In the last few years, juvenile humpback whales have wintered off the coast of Virginia Beach. It is believed the whales have begun their journey to their northern summering grounds.
The museum is gearing up for dolphin-watching trips that begin next month.
Reservations are now being accepted for the first trips May 14, May 21 and May 28 at 4:30 p.m. Daily dolphin-watching trips will run from June 19 to Sept. 3. by CNB