NOAA Regional Wildlife Guidelines
Targeted Wildlife Watching Information on Dolphins and Sea Turtles
Wildlife managers are developing more focused wildlife viewing guidelines based on regional differences in wildlife.
Watching marine wildlife is a boating resource enjoyed by everyone on the waterfront. The topic of Marine Wildlife Viewing has been touched upon here at Boating and Sailing, but further information on the subject is being released by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Two new projects produced by NOAA will be available to the public soon. Each will eventually be available on-line and published as a brochure. The first effort is titled Protect Dolphins – Admire Them from a Distance and is meant for distribution along the east coast of the United States. A second project has a bit longer label, NMFS Southeast Region Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Viewing Guidelines.
Protect Dolphins – Admire Them from a Distance - This outreach site explains the harm caused by feeding dolphins and that it is prohibited by Federal law. Intimate human contact with these marine mammals alters their behavior and this activity ultimately places them at future risk of propeller or boat strikes. Marine mammals habituated to humans have gone to attack people, generating a poor outcome for both parties. The brochure published for this endeavor is available as a Portable Document File.
NMFS Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Viewing guidelines for its Southeast Region are intended for distribution from Texas to North Carolina. Information presented in this website explains the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) wildlife viewing Code of Conduct and its recommendations for viewing time, approach distance and warning signs of animal disturbance.
The NMFS Wildlife Viewing "Code of Conduct"
These guidelines are intended to inform the public about protection of marine mammals and sea turtles. They are not a replacement for Federal legal requirements.
- Remain a respectful distance from marine mammals and sea turtles. The minimum recommended distances are:
- dolphins, porpoises, seals = 50 yards
- sea turtles = 50 yards
- whales = 100 yards - Federal law prohibits all approaches to right whales within 500 yards
- Time spent observing marine mammals and sea turtles should be limited to 1/2 hour.
- Marine mammals and sea turtles should not be encircled or trapped between watercraft, or watercraft and shore
- If approached by a marine mammal or sea turtle, put your watercraft's engine in neutral and allow the animal to pass. Any vessel movement should be from the rear of the animal - Pursuit of marine mammals and sea turtles is prohibited by Federal law
- Never feed or attempt to feed marine mammals or sea turtles - Federal law prohibits feeding or attempting to feed marine mammals
General Guidelines for Dolphins
- Avoid feeding, swimming with or harassing wild dolphins
- Dolphins that are habituated to people lose their wariness, making them more vulnerable to shark attacks and boat strikes
- Feeding dolphins can threaten their ability to fend for themselves in the wild
- Dolphins used to taking handouts can turn on their benefactors, becoming aggressive when they don't get what they want
- Avoid prolonged exposure by wildlife watching vessels. Viewing shouldn't exceed a half hour
- Leave the viewing area if there are any signs of wildlife disturbance
- Operate your boat in a predicable manner. Dolphins can surface in unexpected locations
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibits causing harm to marine mammals. There are additional statues that protect other types of marine wildlife like birds and sea turtles. Informational brochures on the Protect Dolphins and Southeast Region Code of Conduct will be available for boaters from members of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary soon. Remember to we need to keep these animals wild.
