In my last article, I described an opportunity to whalewatch off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Hopefully the information intrigued you enough to plan a trip. If so, you need to know the rules involved when viewing whales.
Obviously we no longer live in the days of Moby Dick. Today, all whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the northeast region and most other areas are federally protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Moreover, most large whales in the same area are further protected under the Endangered Species Act. Both of these acts spurred whalewatching guidelines that attempt to prevent harassment and possible injury to large whales. Finbacks, humpbacks, and minke whales are those commonly sought after during a whalewatch trip.
You can just about picture many large vessels competing for prime opportunities for their passengers to see and photograph the amazing creatures. However, any reliable whalewatch operator knows the rules and the penalties attached for violating them.
So, despite the urgent requests of passengers to get closer, a boat captain will not exceed the appropriate zone stated for the particular whale sighted. The amount of distance varies depending on location and instance. The northeast region guidelines are complicated, whereas the Hawaiian guidelines state one set distance for humpbacks and another for other marine animals.
Whalewatching can still be an incredible experience with just a few tips, such as bringing binoculars so that your viewing power increases.
Many times whalewatch boats will stop and whales will approach. Some whales will swim right under a boat or breach right beside it. The adventures occur in many different ways. So, there is no need for a chase or a race to get to a whale first. Patience becomes a key rule to follow and most often it pays off.
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