A proliferation of whales around the San Francisco Bay area is causing ships to be rerouted, USA Today reports. A number of whale-ship collisions along the California coast have sparked the change.

Blue, fin and humpback whales — all endangered — have appeared in greater numbers along the coast of late, in pursuit of plentiful food.

Not only will shipping be rerouted, but maritime officials want to establish better ways of tracking the whales.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will work with the shipping industry and the Coast Guard on the plan, which is to take effect next year.

Rerouting seems the best course. John Berge of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association explained: “Nobody wants to hit a whale, just like anybody driving down the highway doesn’t want to hit anything.”

The shipping industry and government are to be commended for working with Mother Nature in this instance, seeking to protect whales and avoid collisions.

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