Whale Watch Guidelines For The Northeast Region

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 PROCEDURES WHEN WITHIN 600 FEET

• 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. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• 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.
• 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.

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 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.

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

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)