Boat Disturbance
There is a strong concern that the explosion of interest in whale watching since the mid-1980s has had negative effects on cetaceans. Industry growth has been particularly dramatic in the trans-boundary region of Haro Strait (near Victoria), where both Canadian and American whale-watching boats compete for good spots to view whales. At times more than 50 vessels, both commercial and recreational, may follow a single group of 10 to 20 whales (the dubious record is of 107 boats following a single group of killer whales in Haro Strait). While commercial whale-watching vessel operators are necessarily aware of the Be Whale Wise Guidelines and, generally, follow them, many private recreational vessel operators are not familiar with the guidelines and frequently interrupt the activities of marine mammals. Although one boat is not likely to cause significant disturbance just by watching whales, repeated violations of the Be Whale Wise Guidelines is likely to lead to significant disturbance of cetaceans. The impacts of whale watching are due both to the presence of the vessels (turning the whales’ attention away from activities like foraging, feeding, socializing and breeding) and to the noise the vessels produce (reducing the ability of whales to detect their prey, communicate, and navigate).
The impacts of whale watching are occurring in conjunction with other threats; whale watchers are focusing on species that are at-risk of extinction due to a variety of factors such as high levels of toxins in their blubber, limited availability of prey and many of these populations are small due to whaling or capture for aquaria.
Johnstone Strait
An active whale watching community exists at the north end of Vancouver Island between Campbell River and Port Hardy and centered at the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve (RBMBER). Whale watching here focuses on the northern resident killer whale population and humpback whales that are here in large numbers during the summer months. The RBMBER was established by BC Parks in 1982 to provide an area free from boat traffic for killer whales that use the area to feed on abundant runs of salmon and rub on the smooth pebble beaches in the reserve (this behaviour is unique to northern resident killer whales). Since 1987, the BC Parks funded Robson Bight Warden Program has informed boaters in the area of the ecological reserve and the Be Whale Wise Guidelines.Since 2002, the Straitwatch program (operated by Cetus Research & Conservation Society) has complimented the warden program by extending monitoring and boater education from Port Hardy to Campbell River. Research conducted here has demonstrated that whales tend to stop feeding and beach rubbing when approached by vessels, demonstrating the importance of the Warden and Straitwatch programs to reducing disturbance of killer whales.
Haro and Juan De Fuca Straits
The waters off Victoria, BC and the San Juan Islands have been a popular whale watching destination since the late 1980s, with watchers focusing mainly on the population of ~88 southern resident killer whales. There is presently nearly 80 commercial whale watching vessels operating in these same waters, with an average of over 20 vessels travelling with the whales at any time in the summer (including both recreational and commercial vessels.The Whale Museum on San Juan Island established Soundwatch in 1993 to monitor vessel activity and educate boaters about the whale watching guidelines. Soundwatch contacts over 1000 vessels a year to distribute Be Whale Wise brochures and educate boaters about Marine Protected Areas. Since 2001, a monitoring project has been operating on the Canadian side of Haro and Juan De Fuca Straits as well: the Marine Mammal Monitoring program (operated by Viens of Life Watershed Society) from 2001 to 2006 and Cetus’ Straitwatch program since 2007.
Other Areas
Whale watching is also well-established or growing in numerous other areas across the BC coast, such as Tofino, Prince Rupert and the Queen Charlotte Islands.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Power Boaters:
Observe the Be Whale Wise Guidelines.
If you’re boating in an area known for whale activity, reduce your speed, keep a watch for signs of cetaceans.If you see whale watching boats, reduce your speed, watch for signs of cetaceans and give the area a wide berth.
Sailors:
Observe the Be Whale Wise Guidelines.
Although sailboats are very quiet, whales and other cetaceans may not be alerted to your presence as easily as they are to power boats. Research has shown that the presence of vessels, including sail boats, may cause cetaceans to change their behaviour including cessation of feeding. Provide all cetaceans a wide berth.
Kayakers:
Observe the Be Whale Wise Guidelines.
Although kayaks are very quiet, whales and other cetaceans may not be alerted to your presence as easily as they are to power boats. Research has shown that the presence of vessels, including kayaks, may cause cetaceans to change their behaviour including cessation of feeding. Provide all cetaceans a wide berth.
Report violations of the Be Whale Wise Guidelines.
In Canada to Fisheries and Oceans Canada1-800-465-4336
In the U.S. to NOAA Fisheries, Office of Law Enforcement1-800-853-1964
