I'm behind, and just saw the "War of the Whales" material. The Pacific grey whales that they are trying to save migrate up the coast, and pass very close to land at one of my favorite places, Point Vicente, California, near where I live. There is a post there of the citation society, where, during migration season, they count the numbers each year to monitor the health of the species. I have been there many times, and seen the whales. This year they seem to be doing well.
I go on whale watching trips whenever I get a chance. I have yet to get close to a grey whale, but I have to blue whales and fin whales. (not to pet them, unfortunately, but it is still an amazing experience!).
The tendency of blue whales to come lose to boats is wonderful for whale watchers, but not for them. They hang out in shipping lanes, where they cause accidents.