Observation of Marine Mammals Guidelines

February-March 1996

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

by A. Michael Kundu

Never interfere with feeding, breeding or nursing activities

Whales perform very specialized prey-entrapment maneuvers; kayaks intruding on these patterns could prevent them from gathering the nutrients required for survival. Avoid any approach of female whales or pinnipeds with young; in addition to stressing these animals, you might be interfering with critical nursing or rearing activities.

Learn about your subject behavior and biology

Before you paddle in any marine mammal habitat, learn to recognize stress-related behavioral signs, such as tail-lopping, spy-hopping, barking or stampeding off of haul-out areas or rookeries, etc. Seal and sea lion rookeries are particularly sensitive areas which should never be approached by paddlers, who could cause panic stampedes that may crush nursing babies or young pups.

Limit Your Wildlife-watching Duration

Limit your presence to short intervals. Never put your curiosity or interest in the way of feeding or foraging activities--he animal's survival depends on regular activities being allowed to continue uninterrupted and unhindered.

Maintain your distance

Avoid actively approaching cetaceans -- do not pursue or advance on cetaceans that are traveling toward you. Always allow your kayak to drift passively on a parallel course to where you expect them to pass. Whales almost always approach each other from the rear: frontal encounters may startle or alarm whales, who may not be able to detect a kayak's oblique design. Under the federal marine mammal protection act (MMPA), boaters must remain 100 yards away from all marine mammals.

Always warn any approaching cetacean of your presence

My practice, while photographing or observing an approaching group of orcas, is to sing or talk out loud at a steady rhythm. Another effective method is to maintain a sculling stroke, keeping the paddle blade moving well below the surface of the water. Always avoid startling any marine mammal, both for your sake and for that of the cetaceans.

Practice low-Impact observation habits at all times

During the summer months, most migrating whales spend 65% of their diurnal time feeding, and 25% of this time actively searching for food. The remaining interval is spent resting, replenishing energy and critical interaction with other whales: realistically, there is no spare time in their itinerary to avoid kayakers. If you do choose to intrude upon them, remember that cetaceans should never be encroached upon by more than two kayaks at a time. It is crucial that paddlers remember to follow all federal regulations regarding marine mammals.

Michael Kundu can be reached Arcturus Adventure Communications, 1026A 56th Street SE, Everett, WA 98203. Tel/Fax: 206 513-9021. E-mail: arcturus@arcturus.seanet.com