Preamble
The purpose of this code is to foster an environment of co-operation and trust
among marine tour operators for the protection and safety of the whales and other marine
wildlife, and the safety and understanding of their passengers.
We agree to abide by this code for the protection and preservation of whales within our
waters.
We agree that the first vessel to locate a whale or group of whales will have
first viewing priority. The vessel is under no obligation to announce the location of the
whales to other operators. We agree that no more than two vessels will view a whale or
group of whales at a time within 100m of the whale or group. If the whales are travelling,
the viewing vessels will maintain a respectable distance to avoid herding the animals.
We agree that a maximum of 30 minutes will be spent viewing a whale or group of whales
if more than two vessels are in the immediate vicinity. Passengers will be informed that
We are moving off to allow other vessels to view the whale and that We must avoid crowding
the animals and endangering their safety. Motorized vessels will also take care not to
crowd or endanger the safety of kayakers
We agree to move off from any whale that is demonstrating avoidance behavior such as
turning away or increasing speed
We agree that all operators will standby on a designated VHF radio channel for the
purposes of communication when more than one vessel is viewing or waiting to view a whale
or group of whales, and We will coordinate the selection of the channel with whale watch
vessels from other areas in the Bay of Fundy.
We agree that vessels when approaching another vessel already engaged in whale
watching will contact that vessel and arrange viewing priority.
We agree to keep a fair distance when waiting our turn to view so as not to crowd the
whale or viewing vessels. While waiting our turn to view we will engage in other
activities such as sea bird and seal viewing, or conservation education.
We agree that when vessels are stopping to listen for whale blows in the fog
that as a courtesy other vessels in the immediate vicinity will do the same.
We agree to cover different areas as much as possible so that not all vessels will be
converging on the same location.
We agree that in the vicinity of fixed fishing gear we will practice caution to avoid
steering or herding whales in the direction of the gear.
We agree that we will commit to educating the public and other boat operators about
the conservation of whales and the preservation of the marine ecosystem. We recognize that
adherence to this code demonstrates our care and concern for whale conservation.
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