Whale Watching Guidelines

These guidelines refer to all whale-watch and private vessels

The National Marine Fisheries Service has established new operational guidelines for whale-watching in the Northeast. The  guidelines have several significant differences from the previous guidelines, including the establishment of a speed limit of 13 knots when within 2 miles or less of a sighted whale. The new guidelines are a direct result of concerns expressed at the Whale-Watching Ethics Forum the Center for Coastal Studies co-sponsored with the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in January 1999.

Immediately following the forum, representatives from the whale-watching industry, conservation and environmental groups, federal and state agencies, academic and research institutions, as well as other interested parties, (including the Center) met to draft new guidelines and operational procedures to be used at certain distances from whales from these proposals.

The starting point for the review process was a proposal drafted by the Northeast Whale-Watching Association, an industry trade group established in the early 1980’s, that has remained inactive for most of the 1990’s. Following the Whale-Watching Ethics Forum, the association was reactivated and currently has 20 whale-watching companies supporting its actions.

The National Marine Fisheries Service accepted and will distribute these guidelines to mariners for the 1999 season. Enforcement, compliance, speed, training, certification, and guidelines versus regulations will all be discussed in great length as this debate continues. What is important to remember is that the safety of the whales should be the number one priority of all of the parties involved in this process.
For background information, please see: Whale-watching ethics forum

*(printed material from NMFS):

NOAA- National Marine Fisheries Service & National Ocean Service

WHALE WATCH GUIDELINES FOR THE NORTHEAST REGION INCLUDING THE STELLWAGON BANK MARINE SANCTUARY

A. Operational Guidelines when in sight of whales:

From two miles to one mile away:
• Reduce speed to 13 knots.
• Post a dedicated lookout to assist the vessel operator in monitoring the location of all marine mammals.
• Avoid sudden changes in speed and direction.
• Aircraft observe the FAA minimum altitude of 1,000 feet over water.

From one mile to one-half mile away:
• Reduce speed to 10 knots.
From one-half mile to 600 yards away:
• Reduce speed to 7 knots.
• Maneuver to avoid head-on approach.

B. Close approach procedure 600 feet or closer:
• Parallel the course and speed of moving whales up to the designated speed limit within that distance.
• Do not attempt a head-on approach to whales.
• Approach and leave stationary whales at no more than idle or “no wake” speed, not to exceed 7 knots.
• Do not intentionally drift down on whales.
• Vessels in multi-vessel approaches should maintain communication with each other (via VHF channels 9,13, or 16 for hailing) to coordinate viewing.
• Taking into account the presence of obstacles (vessels, structures, fishing gear, or to the shoreline). All vessels in close approach must stay to the side or behind the whales so they do not box in the whales or cut off their path.
(Stand-by Zone) From 300 feet to 600 feet away:
• Two vessel limit within the 300- to 600 foot Stand-by Zone at any one time.
(Close Approach Zone) From 100 feet to 300 feet away:
• One vessel limit.
• Other vessels stand off. (up to two vessels in the stand-by Zone- others outside 600 feet).
• If more than one vessel is within 600 feet, the vessel within 300 feet should limit its time to 15 minutes in close approach to whales.

C. No intentional approach 100 feet away or less

• Do not approach within 100 feet of whales. If whales approach within 100 feet of your vessel, put engines in neutral and do not re-engage propulsion until whales are known to be observed clear of harms way from your vessel.

All vessels should leave the whales following the same speed and distance described above. In order for vessels to be clear of whales before dark, vessels should cease whale watching and begin their return to port 15 minutes before sunset.

These are trial guidelines for the 1999 season and are to be reviewed and refined in the year 2000.

All whales, dolphins and porpoises in the north east region are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection act (MMPA) and most large whales in the area are further protected in the Endangered species act (ESA). Under these acts it is illegal to “harass, hunt, capture or kill” any marine mammal. Prohibited conduct includes any “negligent or intentional act which results in the disturbing or molesting of marine mammals.”

The following operational procedures are intended to avoid harassment and possible injury to large whales, particularly the finbacks, humpbacks, and minke whales commonly seen by vessels engaged in whale watching. Following the guidelines can help protect both you and the whale you wish to watch and keep you from accidentally violating federal law.

Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis)

State regulations:

The right whale is protected by separate State and Federal regulation s that prohibit approach within 500 yards of this species. Any vessel finding itself within the 500 yard buffer zone created by a surfacing right whale must depart immediately at a safe slow speed. The only vessels allowed to remain within 500 yards of a right whale are vessels with appropriate research permits, commercial fishing vessels in the act of hauling back or towing gear, or any vessel given prior approval by NMFS to investigate a potential entanglement.

If you see a Right Whale call:

• Northeast Early Warning System: (508) 495-2264 or (978) 585-8473 (beeper)
If you see any entangled whales call:
• Northeast Disentanglement Network at: (800) 900-3622
• Coast Guard Station nearest your location channel 16 VHF Radio.
Comments on guidelines or vessel operations call:
• Northeast Whale Watching Association at: (800) 557-1553
Please No garbage overboard!
• The biggest source of plastic debris in the Gulf of Maine waters is recreational boaters. Plastic trash can cost marine mammals and sea birds their lives; it can also be expensive to you! it is illegal to discard trash into ocean waters.

Look for the Guidelines!

If you don’t see whale-watch guidelines on
the whale-watch vessel you're on, ASK THEM WHY!