Whale
Watching off Victoria, Vancouver Island |
Under the Fisheries
Act, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is responsible for the
management and protection of marine mammals. The Marine Mammal Regulations
specifically prohibit the disturbance of whales.
The DFO has developed guidelines for whale watching in Johnstone
Strait, where killer whales are found on a daily basis each summer.
It is strongly recommended that vessel operators follow these guidelines
for all whale species.
Diving or swimming
with whales constitutes a type of approach to whales and falls under
these guidelines and regulations. It is illegal to hunt, chase,
disperse, drive or herd pods or individual whales.
Be conscious
of the effect of your actions on the whales. Be familiar with the
distances required and activities that will disturb and interfere
with whales. Whale watching activities should not take place in
Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve.
Whale
Watching Guidelines
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Approach
whales from the side, not from the front or the rear. |
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Approach
no closer than 100 metres and shift your motor into neutral
or idle. |
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Keep
noise levels down - no horns, whistles or racing of motors. |
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Start
your motor only after the whales are more than 100 metres from
your vessel. |
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Leave
the area slowly, gradually accelerating when you are more than
300 metres from the whales. |
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Approach
and depart slowly, avoiding sudden changes in speed or direction.
Do not "leapfrog." |
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Avoid
disturbing groups of resting whales. |
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Maintain
low speeds and constant direction if travelling parallel to
whales. |
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When
whales are travelling close to shore, avoid crowding them near
the shore or coming between the whales and the shore. |
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Limit
the time spent with any group of whales to less than 30 minutes
at a time when within 100 to 200 metres of whales. |
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If
there is more than one vessel at the same observation site,
be sure to avoid any boat position that would result in encircling
the whales. |
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Minimize
the time spent and the number of vessels with any one group
of whales. |
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Limit
time, as above, and then move out to allow other vessels access
to good viewing positions. |
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Coordinate
activities by maintaining contact with other vessels, and ensure
that all operators are aware of the whale watching guidelines. |
Orcas
and a Kayaker share Robson Bight |
Researchers wishing
to study whales should check with the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans to ensure their proposed study activity is permissible and
to determine whether or not they will require a scientific licence.
For research
activities that may require entry to Robson Bight (Michael Bigg)
Ecological Reserve, researchers should contact B.C. Parks.
Summary convictions
for contravention of the Fisheries Act or its regulations carry
a fine of up to $100,000 a prison term up to one year, or both.
Indictable convictions carry a fine of up to $500,000, prison terms
of up to two years, or both. (Fisheries Act s.78)
Reproduced
with the permission of Fisheries
and Oceans Canada.
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