Question of the month

During an interview with Jon Lien, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Whales online asked him the following question :

Are present Canadian regulations adequate in preventing disturbance related to whale-watching activities?

J.L. : No. The Fisheries Act specifies that "no person shall disturb a marine mammal", yet there are no regulations to enforce this statement. Fortunately, Fisheries and Oceans Canada are aware of this oversight and are preparing new regulations.

In fact, I was asked by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to prepare a document in which I present, among other proposals, recommendations for the regulation of whale-watching activities.

- It is necessary to act quickly. Whale watching is a major industry and all suggestions indicate that it will continue to grow.

- There are certain activities which are particularly important for whales: resting, feeding, avoiding predators, communicating, reproducing, and caring for young. Regulations should aim to protect these essential life processes.

- The regulations should control boating activities with short-term effects on whale behaviour: high speed approaches from a short distance, head-on approaches which could force a whale to change its trajectory, rapid changes in direction and speed close to the animals, pursuit, and excess noise.

- Repeated and persistent disturbance causes concern for whale conservation. This is why boat numbers and the amount of time each boat spends close to the whales should be targeted by the regulations.

- The regulations should be made adaptable to new scientific understanding of the impact boats have on whales and to the efficiency of said regulations.

- Fisheries and Oceans Canada should develop a research program to study the effects of whale-watching activities on whales. This research could be carried out with the collaboration of whale watching companies.

- The introduction of new regulations should be accompanied by an information campaign to make the public aware of the necessity for the regulations.

I want to know more

Jon Lien's complete report for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 84k

Portrait of Jon Lien