Marine Life Harassment

August-September 1995

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

Paddling guidelines to remember

by Whitney Potter

It is important for all sea kayakers to remember that sea kayaks can harrass marine wildlife as much as power and sailboats!

I have been sea kayaking in the Puget Sound Region for seven years, and have learned through my actions and others how to be sensitive the marine habit we paddle in. Sea kayakers are getting a bad reputation in these waters for harassment of wildlife, please read through this to lessen the impact we are having on the marine environment.

There are some things to remember regarding your sea kayak. Kayaks travel close to the water, moving slow, much like that of a predator. Kayaks travel in areas power boats and sail boats almost never enter. Kayaks hug the shore-line, stay close to the inter-tidal zone, where most species feed and find protection. Kayakers in large numbers are attracted to waters with orca whales. Kayakers who do not know any better tend to disperse, and try to get closer to the orca pod. Being in a sea kayak, so close to the environment, you are bound to have accidental contact with marine wildlife. Here are some guidelines that will help minimize your impact.

SOME GUIDELINES TO REMEMBER WHILE PADDLING.

If you know seal haul-out locations try to avoid them all together.

While paddling close to the shore line, be cautious of the marine wildlife you might encounter and move around it whenever possible.

If you accidentally come in contact with marine wildlife, never look it in the eyes for more then 3 seconds: look away, then back. If you hold eye contact with the animal, it may consider it a threat.

If you find an abandoned seal pup, leave it alone. Take note as to where, and when you saw it, and contact the appropriate officials when you are near a phone. (NOTE: Most abandoned seal pups are results of you being there. You most likely scared off the mother.)

If you are paddling near orca whales, bring your group closer together. It is best to have the kayaks in cluster groups, so that the pod can easily navigate around you. Do not chase them and/or cut off their path; this is considered harassment and you could pay $20,000 in fines and imprisonment up to one year.

These guidelines are used by most of the sea kayak guiding outfits in the San Juan Islands.