Whale watching in the San Juan Islands has become a $10 million industry in recent years. The Whale Museum estimates that annually more than 500,000 people go whale watching on commercial whale-watch boats in the transboundary waters of Washington and British Columbia. Another 3,000-8,000 watch whales each year from private boats.
Whale watching provides people with an opportunity to learn about and appreciate marine wildlife. As more people become aware of the importance of the marine ecosystems on this planet, increasing numbers of them will work to help preserve it.
However, it is extremely important that the large numbers of humans who watch whales and other marine animals in the wild don't disrupt the animals' environment and ability to live normal, healthy lives. (For more information on environmental impacts facing the orcas, visit our Issues page.)
The Whale Museum recommends interested watchers "look before they look." Look for operators who follow and promote the Be Whale Wise Guidelines as well as employ professional marine naturalists. Land-based whale watching is another terrific way to experience this marine environment. There are many places along the westside of San Juan Island that provide adequate parking and trails so that you can enjoy watching whales and other marine life from shore. Notable spots include: Lime Kiln Point State Park (Whale Watch Park), the Westside Scenic Preserve, San Juan County Park, American Camp, and South Beach.
The Soundwatch Boater Education Program
The Whale Museum created the the Soundwatch Boater Education Program in 1993 to educate pleasure boaters on the least intrusive ways to watch whales in the wild. On the water every day each summer, Soundwatch crews and volunteers monitor boater activity near whales.
When they see boat activity that could potentially disrupt or harm the whales, Soundwatch approaches boaters, courteously explains the rules and hands them the Soundwatch Boater Guidelines brochure. The guidelines were created in conjunction with the U.S. and Canadian federal governments and the international Pacific Whale Watch Association to assist boaters in viewing marine wildlife with minimal impact to the animals. (In June 2008, regulations were passed in the State of Washington.)
Get your whale-watching guidelines and regulations here
Soundwatch also monitors regional marine protected areas and regularly sends confidential "report cards" to commercial whale-watching companies so they can see how well they are observing the rules.
Soundwatch is primarily an educational program and has no enforcement power. However, repeat or flagrant violations of the guidelines may be reported by anyone to the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service or to the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which may impose substantial fines.
A component of the Soundwatch Boater Education Program is the Kayak Education and Leadership Program (K.E.L.P.). K.E.L.P. educators teach commercial and private kayakers about marine stewardship and promote the Responsible Kayaker Code to help reduce disturbances to marine wildlife by irresponsible boating practices. See the K.E.L.P. brochure and map. Or view a slide show of the K.E.L.P. program.
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Whale Harassment |
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Marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Human activities in the vicinity of marine mammals can result in a variety of impacts ranging from no observable change in behavior to actual physical harm. Examples of behavior by disturbed or harassed animals can include (but are not limited to):
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Report incidents of harassment of whales or other marine mammals using the following 24-hour hotlines: |
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In U.S. Waters
National Marine Fisheries Service 1-800-853-1964 |
In Canadian Waters
Department of Fisheries and Oceans 1-800-465-4336 |
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More about whale watching
