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HALE WATCHING GUIDELINES 
Regulations and LicensingIn Canada, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is responsible for the management and protection of marine mammals, including killer whales. In the United States, the responsible agency is the National Marine Fisheries Service. In both countries, regulations specifically prohibit disturbance of whales. Infractions are subject to fines and/or imprisonment. Activities such as research or commercial photography may require a license or permit to approach whales. Individuals wishing to undertake such activities should contact the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Canada, or the National Marine Fisheries Service in the US. to ensure that their proposed activity is permissible and to determine whether or not they will require a permit. Guidelines for Whale Watching Be conscious of the effect of your actions on the whales. Be familiar with the distances required and activities which will disturb or interfere with orcas. Whale watching activities should not take place in Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve. 1.Guidelines for a Single Vessel Watching Whales Diving or swimming with whales constitutes a type of approach to killer whales and falls under the same guidelines and regulations. It is illegal to hunt, chase, disperse, drive or herd pods or individual whales. Approach no closer than 100 metres (under review) and shift your motor into neutral or idle. Keep noise levels down - no horns, whistles, or racing motors. Start your motor only after the whales are more than 100 metres from your vessel. Leave the area slowly, gradually accelerating when more than 300 metres from the whale(s). Approach the whales from the side, not from the front or the rear. Approach and depart slowly, avoiding sudden changes in speed or direction. Do not "Leapfrog". Avoid disturbing groups of resting whales.  Maintain low speeds and constant direction if travelling parallel to whales. When whales are travelling close to shore, avoid crowding them near shore or coming between the whales and shore.
Limit the time spent with any group of whales to less than 30 minutes at a time when within 100-200 metres of whales.
2.Guidelines for More than One Vessel at the Same Observation Site Avoid any boat that would result in encircling the whale(s). Minimize the time spent and number of vessels with any one group of whales. Limit time to 30 minutes within 100-200 metres and then move out to allow other vessels access to good viewing positions. Coordinate activities by maintaining contact with other charter operators and ensure that all operators are aware of the whale watching guidelines. Respect the same guidelines that apply when one vessel is watching whales. 3.Guidelines for Aircraft Limit approaches to 450 metres above the water over whales. Do not hover over, circle around or "buzz" whales. Ensure that you are more than 300 metres from whales before attempting landings or take-offs. 4.Guidelines for Cruiseships The large vessel and engine size of cruiseships are potentially disturbing to killer whales, particularly when whales are between vessels and the shore. Therefore, cruiseships should observe the following guidelines. Observe the same guidelines that apply to single vessels or multiple vessels watching whales, but maintain a minimum distance of 300 metres from whales. |