Act Responsibly
Be Whale Wise informs you on the local laws pertaining to marine mammals, as well as provides going beyond to provide additional guidelines that will make you a safer boater and a steward of our natural resources.
The Salish Sea is home to many marine mammals, but most known as the home of the Southern Resident Community of orcas. This unique population of orca whales feeds on fish, preferably salmon, and lives in close family groups. The Southern Resident orcas are listed as endangered in both Canada and the United States. Only 76 orcas remain as of May 2019. One of the best ways to help these whales is to Be Whale Wise!
What You Need to Know
The Laws
Washington State
- Boats to stay 300 yards from Southern Resident orca on either side.
- Boats to stay 400 yards from Southern Resident orca ahead and behind the whales
- Boats to go slow (<7knts) within ½ mile of Southern Resident orca
- Disengage engines if whales appear within 300 yards.
Boats to stay 100 yards from all other marine mammals (e.g. humpback whales, gray whales, sea lions and seals).
Canada
- Boats must stay 400 metres from killer whales in Southern Resident critical habitat.
- Boats must stay 200 metres from killer whales in other BC waters.
- Boats must stay 100 metres from all other cetaceans (e.g. humpback whales, gray whales).
Boats must stay out of certain sections of Swiftsure Bank, off the east coast of Saturna Island and south-west of North Pender Island.
The Guidelines
Washington State
- Turn off fish finders and depth sounders if safe to do so.
- Use Whale Warning Flag to warn fellow boaters to the presence of whales.
Canada
- Go slow (<7knots) within 1,000 metres of orcas.
- Turn off fish finders and depth sounders if safe to do so.
- Use Whale Warning Flag to warn fellow boaters to the presence of whales.
Know the Zones
San Juan Island West Side
- Voluntary no-boat zone from Mitchell Point to Cattle Point
- ¼ mile offshore, ½ mile around Lime Kiln Point State Park
Canada Interim Sanctuary Zones
- Saturna Island
- Swiftsure Bank
- Pender Island
Whale Warning Flags Indicate
- Whales are in the vicinity
- Vessels should slow down and be prepared to change course
- Turn off fishfinders and depth sounders
