A Pleasant Visit
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Whale watching is one of the most rapidly growing tourist activities
world wide. In many areas, the whale watching industry has heightened
local interest in marine mammal conservation as well as bringing significant
and much needed economic growth. Other positive impacts of whale watching
include public education and contribution to scientific studies of
various whale species. Whale watching can be fun and educational,
but great care must be taken in order to ensure that the animals are
not disturbed. As a whale watcher, you can play an active role in
seeing that your whale watch experience is a safe and enjoyable one-
for you and the whales.
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You Can Help Eliminate Disturbances To Whales
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Approach whale watching with reasonable expectations. Those wonderful
wildlife documentaries you watch on television took months to film
- don't expect that kind of experience on a half day excursion.
In many instances irresponsible demands on the part of whale watch
passengers are partly responsible for situations where disturbance
occurs. Become familiar with Canadian Government Guidelines for
whale watching before you sail. Your tour operator should have a
copy available.
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Choose your operator carefully. Whale watch companies in the
Bay of Fundy adhere to a Code of Ethics which governs their behaviour
around the whales. Make sure your operator has signed the code.
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Don't be afraid to express your concerns to the boat captains
if you witness actions on their part which seem to disturb whales.
In a competitive business environment, they want their customers
to have a good experience.
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Make sure your tour company provides commentary aboard the
boat. Your experience will be greatly enhanced by the interpretation.
Keep in mind that fishermen and other people local to the area can
provide a lifetime of insight into the environment. While it is
not necessary to the success of the trip that the tour operator
have a marine biologist on board, the captain and/or guide should
be fully versed in whale behaviour. Most of the tour companies in
the Bay are run by local families with a wealth of knowledge and
information to share. For your personal safety, make sure that your
operator is Coast Guard approved to carry passengers. Vessels must
carry certification which will indicate the number of passengers
they may carry, as well as the distance they may travel from port.
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Remember that the whales are part of a complicated ecosystem.
They interact and co-exist with other creatures. The very best experiences
occur when the boat engine is turned off. The quiet allows you to
fully experience life in the Bay. The whales are more likely to
engage in natural behaviours when they are not frightened or disturbed.
Let your operators know that getting very close to a large whale
is not your only interest. Listen to the sound of the whales breathing
in the distance, take the time to watch the seabirds who often feed
on the same prey species.
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Marine Tour Operators of the Bay of
Fundy Code of Ethics
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In Canada, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, under the Fisheries
Act is the agency responsible for the management of marine mammal
populations. Their guidelines for whale watching specifically address
behaviours which may be disruptive to the whales.
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In the Bay of Fundy, marine tour operators have created a Code of
Ethics which further governs their actions. The purpose of this Code
is to foster an environment of cooperation and trust among marine
tour operators for the protection and safety of the whales and other
marine life.
Adherence to the following behaviours agreed to by the operator in
the Code is voluntary and demonstrates their care and concern for
whale conservation. A copy of the complete text of the Code is available
from your operator.
- No more than two vessels will view a whale or group of whales
within 100 meters of the whales.
- Boats will maintain a respectable distance to avoid herding
the animals.
- A maximum of 30 minutes will be spent viewing the animals.
- Vessels will move away from whales demonstrating avoidance behaviour
such as turning away or increasing speed.
- Vessels will not chase whales.
- Vessels will cover different areas as much as possible so that
not all vessels will be converging on the same location.
- Vessels will practice caution in the vicinity of fixed fishing
gear to avoid steering or herding whales in the direction of the gear.
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Research Permits
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Whale watchers should be aware that in order to closely approach
a whale for research purposes, a permit must be obtained from the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Whale watch vessels carrying passengers
cannot hold permits to conduct research. Therefore close approaches
by passenger carrying vessels in the name of research should be questioned.
However, many whale watch companies contribute opportunistic data
and photographs to various whale research and conservation efforts.
These contributions are valuable if they can be collected without
disturbing the animals.
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If you have any further questions about
whale watching guidelines
you may contact:
Department of Fisheries & Oceans Marine Mammal Advisor,
Box 550 Halifax, NS
B3J 2S7
Telephone (902) 426-9609 Fax: (902) 426-9683
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