HOW BOATERS CAN DO BETTER AROUND WHALES : MOLLY FRASER EP 012
Study shows boaters can to better when interacting with Whales.
The Green Boater connects with Molly Fraser whose extensive study found a high number of distancing violations by boaters in the Salish Sea.
Her 2020 study with the University of Victoria Coastal and Ocean Research Analysis Laboratory (CORAL) looked at small vessel interactions with cetaceans in the Salish Sea. Her findings were published in the Marine Policy entitled: Compliance of small vessels to minimum distance regulations for humpback and killer whales in the Salish Sea.
Whales Guidelines BC Keeping 200 metres away from killer whales in BC and the Pacific Ocean and keeping 400 metres away from all killer whales in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet* (June 1 – May 31) * Under the Canada Shipping Act. Some exceptions may apply.
Vessel operators will also be asked to turn off their echo sounders and turn engines to neutral idle, if safe to do so, when a whale is within 400 metres. Trans-Boundary Guidelines for USA and Canada* Apply to all whales, porpoises, dolphins, seals, sea lions, any animal hauled out and nesting birds.
1. DO NOT APPROACH or position your vessel closer than 200 metres/yards to any killer whale in the U.S. DO NOT APPROACH or get closer than 100 metres/yards to any other marine mammals or birds, whether on the water or on land.
2. BE CAUTIOUS, COURTEOUS and QUIET
3. LOOK in all directions.
4. SLOW DOWN: reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 400 metres/yards of the nearest marine mammal .
5. ALWAYS approach and depart from the side, moving parallel to their direction of the animal’s travel.
6. IF your vessel is not in compliance with the 100 metres/yards approach guideline (#1), place engine in neutral and allow animals to pass.
7. PAY ATTENTION and move away, slowly and cautiously at the first sign of disturbance or agitation from any animal.
8. STAY on the OFFSHORE side of the whales.
9. ALWAYS avoid going through groups of porpoises or dolphins and hold course and reduce speed gradually to discourage bow or stern-riding.
10. LIMIT your viewing time to 30 minutes or less.
11. DO NOT disturb, swim with, move, feed or touch any marine wildlife.
If you are concerned about a potentially sick, stranded animal, or entangled animal, contact your local stranding network. *www.bewhalewise.org
Molly was born and raised on the west coast of Vancouver Island in a remote community. Growing up in this community, Molly was fortunate enough to be surrounded by the incredible wildlife that Vancouver Island boasts. She acquired an undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Victoria in 2018, with a focus on the environment and sustainability and she acquired an MSc in August 2020 researching small vessel interactions with cetaceans in the Salish Sea. Molly's research and professional interests lie with marine spatial planning, marine protected areas management, cetacean conservation, and marine vessel activities, particularly small vessels. She also has proficiency with various geo-visualization and analytical tools including ArcGIS and RStudio programming. Connect with Molly Email:
[email protected]
