A new program has been started to find out the best way to tag the endangered whales for satellite tracking. Under this program, scientists tagged three right whales this past winter.

To get closer to whales to tag them, the researchers held a federal permit. Others who do not have the permit have to maintain a distance. On Friday, federal officials warned that spring breakers and others should not come closer than 500 yards of a right whale.

A right whale comes under endangered species. It is considered that its number would be around 450 to 500 whales around the world. This year, right whales have given birth to 17 calves. Right whales and their calves continue to migrate along Southeastern Florida, including the Space Coast News.

Therefore, federal officials have been reminding the public time and again not to go near whales too much and give them their space. In order to make the message clearer and to be read by maximum number of people, federal officials will have an airplane tow a banner that reads: Stay 500 yards away from right whales - it's the law!

On Saturday, the plane will fly from Cape Canaveral to Sebastian Inlet from around 10 am to 12pm. Earlier also, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has used airplane banners. It is expecting that the banner to be used this time would keep spring breakers and those at this weekend's Beach 'N Boards Fest in Cocoa Beach to maintain a distance when whales are present.

Giving detail about the rule, Cheryl Bonnes, a marine mammal outreach specialist with NOAA, said that the 500-yards rule is applicable on watercraft or aircraft, non-motorized watercraft like paddleboards and surfboards.

Fines will be levied on those who approach or remain closer to the given limit. Fines can reach into thousands of dollars.