SEATTLE — The Coast Guard has kicked off Operation Be Whale Wise to encourage the public to practice safe whale-watching this summer in the Pacific Northwest.
Operation Be Whale Wise, which began Friday, is an effort to educate the public through outreach and enforcement activities, as well as increase the public’s stewardship of orcas through engagement of citizen science, the Coast Guard said in a press release.
The Coast Guard is working closely with several partner agencies focused on educating the public and raising awareness within the boating community, including enforcing buffer zones and other vessel-related regulations in place to protect the Southern Resident orca population of the Puget Sound.
The Puget Sound and Salish Sea is home to numerous species of marine mammals. The most recognized of these is the Southern Resident orcas.
This species is a distinct population of orcas that are genetically unique from their transient counterparts. They have evolved to feed on fish instead of mammals. Southern Resident orcas are critically endangered, with only 74 members remaining as of May 31.
Federal regulations prohibit vessels from approaching orcas within 200 yards or parking in their path.
In 2019, the state enacted regulations requiring vessels to remain at least 300 yards away from either side or 400 yards in front of or behind orcas. Additionally, state regulations require that vessels within a half mile of orcas must reduce speed to less than 7 knots.
As of today, 13 Southern Residents have been deemed in vulnerable conditions, the Coast Guard said, adding that four may be pregnant.
The state has adopted an emergency rule to prevent commercial whale watching vessels from approaching individuals or groups within 0.5 nautical miles.
The Coast Guard issued these guidelines:
• Keep your distance: Do not approach or get too close to marine life and stay 0.5 nautical miles away. Look in all directions before planning your approach to view wildlife. Slow down and reduce your speed to less than 7 knots when within a half mile of the nearest marine mammal to reduce your engine’s noise and vessel’s wake.
• Pay Attention: Be vigilant for marine mammal presence. Whales may change directions or surface unpredictably. Move away slowly and cautiously at the first sign of a disturbance or agitation.
• Be mindful of your vessel: Place engine in neutral or shutdown and allow the animals to pass if your vessel is not in compliance with regulations. If it’s safe to do so, also turn off your fish finder and echo sounders.
• Be courteous: Stay on the offshore side of whales when they are traveling close to shore. Always avoid going through groups of porpoises or dolphins. Hold course and reduce speed gradually to discourage bow or stern-riding.
• Report whale sightings: The WhaleReport App helps mariners and members of the public practice citizen science by providing a user-friendly tool directly on their tablet or smart phone that displays whale safety zones. The app also allows the user to report any live, dead, or distressed whale sightings to the appropriate response agency.
Be Whale Wise is a coordinated effort between the U.S. and Canada with multiple commercial, nonprofit and environmental non-governmental organizations participating.
For more information, see bewhalewise.org.
