ORS staff knows seeing marine wildlife in their natural environment can be a thrilling experience. They also know paddlers, in their excitement sometimes forget that our presence has an effect on wildlife and their habitat. When paddlers get too close, approach too fast, or make too much noise we may be causing the animal’s unnecessary stress, sometimes even threatening their lives or even that of your own.
How YOU can be Whale Wise and do your part to protect marine wildlife from harassment and disturbance – follow these guidelines:
- Be Cautious and Courteous: approach areas of known or suspected marine wildlife activity with extreme caution. Look in all directions before planning your approach or departure.
- SLOW DOWN: reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 400 meter/yards – 100 meters/yards = 1 football field – of the nearest whale. Avoid abrupt course changes.
- KEEP clear of the whale’s path. If whales are approaching you, cautiously move out of the way.
- DO NOT APPROACH whales from the front or from behind. Always approach and depart whales for the side, moving in a direction parallel to the direction of the whales.
- DO NOT APPROACH or position your vessel closer than 100 meters/yards to any whale.
- If your vessel is not in compliance with the 100/meters/yards approach guideline (#5), – if in a motorized boat, place engine in neutral – allow whales to pass.
- STAY on the OFFSHORE side of the whales when they are traveling close to shore.
- LIMIT your viewing time to a recommended maximum of 30 minutes. This will minimize the cumulative impact of many vessels and give consideration to other viewers.
- DO NOT swim with, touch or feed marine wildlife.
One Comment
test comment