Dolphins and porpoises sometimes approach vessels to ride the bow and/or stern waves. There are concerns about injuries and habituation resulting from this activity. 

Gradually reduce speed when they approach and stop until the dolphins or porpoises move on. It is understood that this is not always possible for vessel operators. The next best option is to maintain course. Do not make sudden changes in direction or speed when the dolphins or porpoises are near the boat. Attempting to solicit interactions with dolphins and porpoises by changing course and targeting them constitutes “disturbance” and is illegal.

There appears to be a misconception among some boaters that it is okay to position one’s boat so that whales will make a close pass. This is not the case. It is important to understand the intent behind the laws and avoidance distances. The proximity of vessels, even when stationary or with the engines off, can cause behaviour changes and add to stresses, risk of habituation, and cumulative effects for marine mammals.

There are times when legitimate surprises happen and a whale surfaces nearby despite the vessel operator’s vigilance and adherence to laws and best practices. If this happens, put your engine in neutral until whales are beyond 400 m. Then proceed slowly. Do not share footage of close encounters as this adds to confusion and miseducation about the laws and best practices, and is likely to increase the desire for other boaters to be close to marine mammals. 

While Humpback Whales are often astoundingly oblivious of boats, there are Humpbacks that sometimes approach and interact with boats. This behaviour is sometimes referenced as “mugging”. To learn more about these interactions and associated concerns, please click this link.

Best practices for boat operation around marine mammals from Be Whale Wise include: 

• Always approach and depart from the side, moving parallel to the direction of the animal’s travel. 
• If the animal(s) are moving in your direction, cautiously move out of the way and avoid abrupt course changes. 
• Do not approach from the front or from behind. 
• Stay on the offshore side of whales when they are traveling close to shore.

If there are whales within 1,000 metres of your vessel, stop fishing. This is not only to reduce the potential of entanglement or injury from fishing gear. It also reduces the potential of fish-eating whale species learning to take fish from fishing gear. This is known as “depredation” and once whales learn this high-risk behaviour, it is very difficult to stop. Depredation also has negative consequences for people whose income relies on fishing.  

When whales are within 1,000 metres and it is safe to do so, also turn off fish finders and echo sounders. The fish-eating whales most likely to be near the BC coast are members of two Orca populations – the threatened Northern Residents and endangered Southern Residents.

Reporting violations of the laws can reduce risks to marine mammals (and boaters) by:

• Offenders receiving education, warnings, or charges being laid.
• Aiding better understanding of how often, and under what conditions, violations and incidents occur.
• Helping fisheries officers determine priorities for enforcement and education.  
• Supporting the need for Regulations and for resources to be invested into
  increased education and enforcement. 
• Shaping best practices and potential for conservation.

Report to the DFO Incident Reporting Line 1-800-465-4336 /   DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Ethical whale watching acknowledges there are impacts to marine wildlife viewing and works to reduce these impacts, while striving to make viewing experiences lead to gains for conservation. See detailed information in the “For the Whales” resource in which we collaborated with 4VI/Tourism Vancouver Island and the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association. 

Potential impacts: 

• Noise 
• Fossil fuel use and use of additional resources 
• Disturbance from vessel presence
• Perpetuating pressure to be close to wildlife e.g. through what language and imagery is used in promotion
• Cumulative impacts due to the number of boats and time spent viewing marine mammals

Potential gains:

• Educating in a way that is scientifically accurate and meaningful to conservation
• Providing sightings information to aid marine mammal research
• Being educated eyes on the water to report violations and recognize when animals are in distress  
• Modeling best practices for boat operation around marine mammals 
• Contributing to the development of improved professional standards to reduce impacts to marine mammals and providing support to marine conservation