How Close Should Boats Be Near Whales or Dolphins
News Staff • July 25, 2024
NOAA has guidelines and enforcement tools for mammal watching
A recent viral video of a whale swamping a boat in New Hampshire has raised the question about boater's proximity to water mammals. Along the Alabama coast there are many dolphin tours and marinas will rent boats to visitors who wish to view the majestic mammals.
First, the incident with the whale happened when a group of fishermen were around a large group of "pogies", a favorite source of food for whales. As you can see in the video below, one boat ended up in the middle of the schooling fish when the whale appeared for his portion of the catch:
So how close should you be to whales and other marine mammals? According to NOAA Fisheries, boats should stay at least 100 yards away from large whales and 50 yards away from dolphins. They further state "Regulations and guidelines have been developed with specific recommendations and distances for viewing whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, sea turtles, and other marine animals. These guidelines and laws can vary by state and by species, so know the rules before you visit our coastal waters."
Dolphin cruise captains in the area are very aware of the sensitive nature and remind boat guests of the rules before leaving the docks. One of the most expensive violations is feeding the local dolphins. The NOAA fisheries have increased the fines of up to $100,000 and up to one year in jail per violation. They have also increased the reward for people who provide evidence of such occurrences.
So do tourist visiting the area get a break from these penalties? No, in fact NOAA recently fined a man from Kansas $1,250 for a member of his family feeding a dolphin in Florida.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects the dolphins, manatees and whales seen in Alabama waters. Local cruise Captains take precautions not to disturb the natural habitats.
Here are a few more suggestions from NOAA:
- Limit time spent observing individuals and groups of animals to 30 minutes or less.
- Do not chase, encircle, or leapfrog animals with any watercraft. Do not trap animals between watercraft or the shore.
- Avoid approaching marine mammals when another watercraft is near. Multiple vessels are more likely to disturb marine mammals.
- Avoid excessive speed or sudden changes in speed or direction near whales, dolphins, or porpoises.
- When encountering marine mammals, slow down, operate at no-wake speed. Put your engine in neutral when whales approach to pass.
- Avoid approaching whales, dolphins, and porpoises when calves are present. Never put your watercraft between a mother and calf.
- Do not intentionally direct your watercraft or accelerate toward a marine mammal with the intent of creating a pressure wake allowing them to bow or wake-ride.
- Slowly leave the area if marine mammals show signs of disturbance.
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