BOSTON (AP) - A Gloucester fisherman has been fined $200 after
pleading guilty to striking two federally protected humpback whales
with his boat.

Federal prosecutors say 42-year-old Christopher Jacques was
operating a tuna boat in July 2008 that was observing a large group
of humpback whales on Stellwagen Bank. Authorities say witnesses on
nearby whale watch boats saw Jacques navigate his vessel through
the bubble clouds of feeding whales and strike two.

He was charged with violations of the Marine Mammal Protection
Act.

Jacques tells The Gloucester Daily Times he was close to the
whales, but did not think he struck them. He says he agreed to the
deal because he could not afford a lengthy legal battle.

If convicted, he faced up to $100,000 in fines and a year in
jail.
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Information from: Gloucester Daily Times,
http://www.gloucestertimes.com