watching whales and dolphins safely - department of the ... · watching whales and dolphins in...
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watching whales and dolphins safelyWATCHING WHALEs AND DOLPHINs SAFELY
Whales and dolphins are protected by law
Do not disturb!
What is the basic rule when near whales and dolphins? Remain quiet and do not try to feed or touch them.
• Bealertandwatchforwhalesanddolphinsatalltimes.
• Wheninavessel,donotapproachcloserthan100mtoanywhaleor50mtoanydolphin.
• Thecautionzoneforvesselsistheareawithin300mofawhaleand150mofadolphin.Nomorethanthreevesselsareallowedwithinthecautionzoneatanyonetimeandvesselsshouldoperateatnowakespeedswithinthiszone.
• Approachwhalesanddolphinsfromparalleltoandslightlytotherear–notfromdirectlybehindorhead-on.
• Whenleavingwhalesordolphins,moveoffataslow(nowake)speedtotheouterlimitofthecautionzone(300m)fromtheclosestanimalbeforegraduallyincreasingspeed.
• Keepalookoutandavoiddisturbancetomotherwhalesordolphinsandtheircalves.Motherandcalfwill
beclosetogetherandthecalvesaresometimesdifficulttosee.
• Ifthereisasuddenchangeinwhaleordolphinbehaviour,moveawayimmediatelyataslowsteadypace.
• Whalesanddolphinssometimesformsocialgroupingsandmayapproachyourvessel–ifthishappensplacetheengineinneutralandlettheanimal(s)cometoyou;orslowdownandcontinueoncourse;orsteerastraightcourseawayfromthem.
• Donotgetintothewaterifyouseeawhaleordolphin.Ifyou’realreadyinthewaterdonotdisturb,chaseorblockthepathofawhaleordolphinandifpossible,returntoyourvesselortheshore.
Note - approach distances for permitted vessels may be regulated under state and territory laws and may differ from those given above.
What to do if you see whales and dolphins
Watching whales and dolphins in their natural environment is an exciting and rewarding experience. It is important to remember that our actions can disturb these wonderful animals. This is why the Australian Government has worked with state and territory governments, non-government organisations and the whale watching industry to develop the Australian National Guidelines for Whale and Dolphin Watching.
WhalesanddolphinsareprotectedinallAustralianwaters.
InCommonwealthwaterstheyareprotectedundertheAustralianGovernment’sEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 whichestablishedtheAustralianWhaleSanctuary.TheSanctuaryextendsto200nauticalmilesfromAustralia’scoastandterritorialislands.UndertheEPBCActitisanoffencetokill,injure,take,chase,harassorherdanyofthesewildanimals.
Instateandterritorywaterswhalesanddolphinsareprotectedbythelawsofeachstateandterritorygovernment.
Surfacing/diving
Fins/flukesLongpectoralfins(about1/3bodylength).
Blow
Other characteristics Humpbacksareamostspectacularwhale–oftendoingfullbodybreaches,rollsandtailslaps.
Where you might see themInshorealonglengthofeastandwestcoastsbetweenMayandDecember.
SizeLarge(to16m).
Description Darkgreyback.Whiteunderside,finsandflukes.
Humpback whales
Description Blackbodywithwhitecallosities(bumps)onhead.
Surfacing/diving
Fins/flukesNodorsalfin,shortpaddle-likepectoralfins.
Blow
Other characteristics Mayraiseflukesondiving.
Where you might see themInshorewatersparticularlyalongsoutherncoastlinebetweenMayandOctober.Alsoseenonthesouth-easternandsouth-westerncoastlines.HavebeenknowntoenterSydneyharbour.
SizeLarge,stockywhale(to17m).
Southern right whaleS
Where you might see themAllwatersfrompolartotropical,allseasons.
SizeMedium(to10m).
Description Distinctiveblackandwhitepattern.
Killer whaleS
Description SharplyV-shapedhead,throatgroovespresent.Black/darkgreyback,wavyboundarytowhiteunderside.
Surfacing/diving
Fins/flukesCurveddorsalfin,shortpectoralfins.
Blow
Other characteristics Blowanddorsalfinoftenappearsimultaneously.
Where you might see themGenerallyoffshoreinAustralianwatersduringwintermigration.
SizeMedium(to11m).
Minke whaleS
Where you might see themAllwatersfromtropicaltotemperate,allseasons.
SizeSmall(to3m).
Description Darkgreyupperbodywithlightgreyunderneath,robustheadwithashortandstubbybottleshapedbeakforwhichthespeciesisnamed.
Other characteristics Highlysocial,canoccurinverylargegroups.
Bottlenose dolphinS
Behaviour you may seeFLUKE–thewhaleliftsitstailbeforediving,usuallyafterarchingitsback.
BLOW(SPOUT)–thewhalebreathesoutasitsurfaces,blowingacloudofvapourthroughitsblowhole.
TAILSLAP–thewhaleslapsitsflukesonthesurface.
TAILLOB–thewhalewavesitsflukesintheair.
SPyHOP–thewhaleliftsitsheadoutofthewater.
BrEACH–thewhaleleapsoutofthewater,oftenturningtolandonitsback,sideorfront.
PECSLAP–thewhaleslapsitspectoralfinsonthewater.
BOWrIDE–thedolphinridesthewaveinthefront(oroccasionallytherear)ofaboat.
Further informationFor a copy of the Australian National Guidelines for Whale and Dolphin Watching and more information about whales and dolphins, go to www.saveourwhales.gov.au or contact the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources Community Information Unit - email [email protected] or call 1800 803 772.
Where you might see themOpenocean,rarelyseennearcoast.Southernwaters,westernBassstraitandoffshorefromPerthandsouth-westerncoast.
SizeLargestwhalespecies(to30m).
Blue whaleSDescription Blue/greyorslateblue.Headhasadistinctivebroadbasedpointedarchshape.
Surfacing/diving
Fins/flukesSmalldorsalfin,long,pointedpectoralfins.
Blow
Other characteristics Maytravelinpairs,oftenalone.
Surfacing/diving
Fins/flukesMaleshaveverytall(2m)dorsalfin.
Blow
Other characteristics Highlysocial,formlifelongfamilygroups,occasionallyseensinglyorinsmallgroups.
Where you might see themAllwaters,openoceanandinshore,allseasons.
SizeSmall(to2.6m).
Description Darkgreyupperbody,whitebelly,distinctivedarkstripessweepingdownbody,sometan–ochre/yellowonflanks.
Other characteristics Oftenseenbow-riding,andusuallyinlargegroups.
Common dolphinS
IllustrationsbyTonyPyrzakowski.Photos:KillerwhalebyGordonBain,courtesyAAD;HumpbackwhalebyDavePaton;SouthernrightwhalecourtesyAAD;BluewhalebyPeterGillandMargieMorrice;BottlenosedolphincourtesyGBrMPA;MinkewhalecourtesyAAD.