“Only in Vancouver can you get on a whale watch boat in a major metropolitan area and in a few minutes find yourself in the company of a leviathan,” Michael Harris, executive director of Pacific Whale Watching Association (PWWA) said.
“We’re extremely fortunate to have all this majestic wildlife in our backyard.”
But as Harris and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada say, with that fortune comes a responsibility.
A recent visit by a grey whale to English Bay, and the previous spotting of killer whales in Burrard Inlet and Deep Cove, shows the significant increase in whale sightings in the Vancouver area. While getting the opportunity to see amazing marine wildlife in their natural environment provides a thrilling experience for Vancouverites and tourists, the DFO would like to remind people that their presence may be affecting wildlife and their habitat.
WATCH: Grey whale spotted near Stanley Park
While it’s great to have people watching the whales from places like the seawall, if people get too close, approach too quickly, or make excessive noise around them, the DFO says it could put them under unnecessary stress and potentially threaten their lives.
The DFO would like to remind people it is illegal to disturb marine mammals and they could be charged under the Fisheries Act, if their space is not respected.
All boats need to be extremely cautious while on the water with a whale. Whale watchers have to keep a distance of at least 100 metres, and if in a motorized vessel, approach slowly, turn off your engine when you arrive, and don’t speed off when leaving the scene, Harris said.
Rapid approaches and departures mean more underwater sound, occupying frequencies used by whales to forage and keep track of each other. Vessels that adhere to these guidelines are not known to adversely impact marine wildlife.
“Whether it’s this gray, or humpbacks or orcas, we need to remember that it may be our city, but it’s their ocean,” Harris said.
“When we’re out there on the water, we’re in their home.”
DFO Whale Watching 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 seven knots when within 400 metres/yards of the nearest whale. Avoid abrupt course changes.
- KEEP CLEAR of the whales’ 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 from the side, moving in a direction parallel to the direction of the whales.
- DO NOT approach or position your vessel closer than 100 metres/yards to any whale.
- If your vessel is not in compliance with the 100 metres/yards approach guideline (#5), reduce your speed and cautiously move away from the whales
- 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.
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