Whale Watching from Private Boats

Friday's amazing Orca show was marred by the irresponsibility of the boaters and kayakers.  If we should be so fortunate to see this display again, it is hoped that private boat operators will understand the rights and wrongs of viewing. 

From Fisheries & Oceans Canada

Marine Mammal Regulations:

Regulatory amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations are being proposed to reduce human disturbance of marine mammals. There is concern that the cumulative effects of repetitive exposure and interaction with humans may interrupt or prevent marine mammals from completing normal life processes (e.g. mating, calving and nursing), cause habituation of the animals with human activities, and threaten the overall survival of individual animals.

Whale and marine mammal watching is an exciting boating activity enjoyed by Canadians and visitors to Canada every year. Viewing marine mammals in their natural surroundings provides an opportunity for the public to gain a better appreciation of these majestic creatures. 

In our excitement, we sometimes forget that our presence has an effect on wildlife and their habitat. Just like us, marine mammals need space to find food, choose mates, raise young, socialize, and rest.

When we get too close, approach too fast, or make too much noise, we may be disrupting these activities and causing unnecessary stress to the mammal. In some cases, we may be threatening their lives.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to the welfare of marine mammals, and as such would like to provide the public with the following whale watching tips for boaters to ensure you enjoy your wildlife encounter while reducing the risk of disturbing marine wildlife. 

• Keep your distance: Make sure to keep your vessel a safe distance away from the mammal at all times.   
• Slow down: Reduce your speed as you approach the mammal. Don’t change directions quickly.
• Approach from the side: Never approach a mammal head on as this will cut-off the mammals’ movements. Don’t park your boat in the path of a marine mammal.
• Keep clear: Never encircle mammals with boats or place your boat between individual mammals. If there are already several boats present, don’t approach. 

When engaged in whale watching look for the following signs that indicate a mammal is being disturbed:

• Continually changing its swimming speed or direction
• Diving more often 
• Discontinuing its activities of vocalizing, feeding, resting, nursing or socializing.
• Leaving the area
• Beginning or discontinuing aerial behaviors such as lob-tailing, flippering, or breaching

If you notice any of these signs, carefully move your boat away from the whale. 

You can help us protect marine mammals by visiting our Report a Fisheries Violation web page to report any activities that may be disturbing marine mammals.

Photo by Kathleen Thompson - Aug 2013 off of Botanical Beach