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Guidelines for observing marine
mammals in Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Developed by The Kenai Fjords Tour Vessel Operators Association
17 May 2000
(corrected 20 September 2001)
General guidelines for all marine mammals
1. View marine mammals from no less than 100 yards distance.
2. Approach and depart from marine mammals slowly.
3. Determine behavioral state from a distance greater than 100 yards before approaching marine mammals for viewing. Be responsive to the specific situation.
4. Terminate viewing if behavioral changes are seen.
5. Keep noise levels down around marine mammals. Do not use horns or whistles. Do not shout or race motors.
6. Communicate with other ship's captains to coordinate timing and behavior of vessels around marine mammals. Allow no more than 15 minutes observation time for each vessel when there are multiple vessel and no more than 20 minutes when alone.
7. All vessels observing marine mammals should remain near each other on the same side of the animal(s). Do not box in animals against shorelines or corral animals between boats. Avoid rapid changes in speed or direction. Avoid shifting gears unnecessarily.
Additional viewing guidelines for pinnipeds and sea otters
1. Observe pinnipeds or sea otters one vessel at a time.
2. Conduct narration before and after (not during) observation.
3. Do not use camera flashes.
4. Be mindful that hauled out pinnipeds react to human smells. Attempt to keep vessel down-wind of haul-outs, if possible.
5. Minimize time around mothers and pups.
Additional viewing guidelines for cetaceans
1. Minimize contact and interference with resting whales.
2. Minimize contact with transient killer whales.
3. Exercise caution around cow and calf pairs.
4. Approach killer whales from the side, not from the front or back.
5. Do not "leap-frog" when viewing whales. Leap-frogging consists of repeatedly running ahead of whales and stopping in their path. During an encounter, each vessel may once move ahead of a group of whales several hundred yards (giving whales a wide berth and shut down engines, allowing whales to determine the closeness of approach.
6. Avoid re-viewing the same group of whales more than once in a trip.
7. Do not approach killer whales, either by sea or on the beach, when they are rubbing.
