Whales have been showing up in droves just off the Northern California coast this year, and it's now prompted federal officials to issue an advisory to all shipping vessels to slow down to 10 knots when approaching and exiting San Francisco Bay, or whenever whales are "evident" in the surrounding waters. The advisory comes a few weeks after a rare fin whale was discovered dead on the Point Reyes National Seashore, at Wildcat Beach, after having been apparently struck by a ship.

This also comes after some recent sightings in the Bay. And let's not forget the tragic incident of the whale who was struck by a cargo ship right in the Bay two years ago.

Officials have a plan for protecting whales in the Bay by re-routing ships, but that plan doesn't take effect until next year.

[CBS]