OCS Be Whale Aware Guide for Boaters
Be WhalA ware 2017finl.d 1 dolphins ar Becaus thylivndor Easter One caspotmblwhurig r Lions caftebu oys, dckantheir spend althirmbu t pinedscomahr the Califor poulatin fBesDhmvg ar side Dolphn,a’ inhabts. OerlkKW,Pcfi- Dolphins, SeaLdHrb beakd nLog-CmDlphis,R’ marine ls,kBotDphS- dolphins, varueSOt.m to mae,givbrhlnd r r and HumpbckWhlestr yearl migtons.ThSu okeris nthCalI ds. egion alsrv e ocasinlvtr,whGy n NorthPacifi,vedzspf nia dBjcoster e asilyobrvdf s PorpieandS egular coidfthns est. Califor om land.Cetcs n Califor ough teBidrn , BlueFinSMk ch ofpr nia costl e yar nia Se m Whales ey es, th . -r
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© 2017 OCS 120 ft Califor P Marine mlV REPO hot If youseatrndiml,kp yourdistancelNMFS os: ©OCS(und er NMFSp Nationl MreFshSvc2480.53196 Boaters cnuVHFhl16i. 60 ft nia StrdgCo entagld, orship-uckw o the24/7WETlin T INCDESOFHARML: FSC c YOU CANHELPMRI ALS INDTRE: er 30 ft tified p aper f Br
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and c pr scien w Oc as or ojec ean C tific r onser ts leading ganiz onser esar v ed t a tion furc v a ch &edua o c tion S o thepr onduc o w WHALE ciet t ot w tional eans ec y w tion BE . .o c ean c AW ons er r them to enjy and how Bight . Califor Souther of the mals Marine esponibly v
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6/2817 5: 17 PM Be WhalA ware 2017finl.d 1 r Lions caftebu oys, dckantheir to mae,givbrhlnd r spend althirmbu t pinedscomahr dolphins ar Becaus thylivndor the Califor poulatin fBesDhmvg r yearl migtons.ThSu and HumpbckWhlestr ar side Dolphn,a’ inhabts. OerlkKW,Pcfi- Dolphins, SeaLdHrb beakd nLog-CmDlphis,R’ marine ls,kBotDphS- dolphins, varueSOt.m Easter One caspotmblwhurig okeris nthCalI ds. egion alsrv e ocasinlvtr,whGy n NorthPacifi,vedzspf nia dBjcoster e asilyobrvdf s PorpieandS egular coidfthns est. Califor om land.Cetcs n Califor ough teBidrn , BlueFinSMk ch ofpr nia costl e yar nia Se m Whales ey es, th . -r
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© 2017 OCS 120 ft Califor P Marine mlV REPO hot If youseatrndiml,kp yourdistancelNMFS os: ©OCS(und er NMFSp Nationl MreFshSvc2480.53196 Boaters cnuVHFhl16i. 60 ft nia StrdgCo entagld, orship-uckw o the24/7WETlin T INCDESOFHARML: FSC c YOU CANHELPMRI ALS INDTRE: er 30 ft tified p aper f Br
ochur
M
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e fundb 87.SOWHALE (69425) S
mits). Br p
e N
e 150 ft
om r O d
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espon ibly manged f ochur
y N E dinator 562.9803 K
: L A O n
ush F
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e andL
A
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s O
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• esh Handm C P
N
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og: Jenif
A
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P iewng Gudls
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or e O
l
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a M c c - 10 tion, algwheduc asimo D outher c eanc eanc a o NMFS. onsume r w x yd onser onser n C ema/ICR eport inju alif ine malr ast 20 v v a a or v e tion.r tion.r olv . nia sc yd A ed M/ , oremail g g t 40 tional e 198. uzio esar o lear ed, yd . ch n
Oc and c pr scien w as or ojec ean C tific r onser ts leading ganiz onser esar v ed t a tion furc v a ch &edua o c tion S o thepr onduc o w WHALE ciet t ot w tional eans ec y w tion BE . .o c ean c AW ons er r them to enjy and how Bight . Souther of the mals Marine Califor esponibly v
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E g ! dif mals intheword:up30 of thelar waters ndif the CanlIsdur includes oatShr The Soutr and mor of whales,dpin An excptioaldvrsy fer ent spci! gest poulainfmr n Califor e . equntd byo nia Bght n Califor oundig
nia,
6/2817 5: 17 PM Be WhalA ware 2017finl.d 1 Easter One caspotmblwhurig r Lions caftebu oys, dckantheir spend althirmbu t pinedscomahr dolphins ar Becaus thylivndor the Califor poulatin fBesDhmvg r yearl migtons.ThSu and HumpbckWhlestr ar side Dolphn,a’ inhabts. OerlkKW,Pcfi- dolphins, varueSOt.m to mae,givbrhlnd r Dolphins, SeaLdHrb beakd nLog-CmDlphis,R’ marine ls,kBotDphS- okeris nthCalI ds. egion alsrv e ocasinlvtr,whGy n NorthPacifi,vedzspf nia dBjcoster e asilyobrvdf s PorpieandS egular coidfthns est. Califor om land.Cetcs n Califor ough teBidrn , BlueFinSMk ch ofpr nia costl e yar nia Se m Whales ey es, th . -r
ound
s
e
e
© 2017 OCS 120 ft Califor P Marine mlV REPO hot If youseatrndiml,kp yourdistancelNMFS os: ©OCS(und er NMFSp Nationl MreFshSvc2480.53196 Boaters cnuVHFhl16i. 60 ft nia StrdgCo entagld, orship-uckw o the24/7WETlin T INCDESOFHARML: FSC c YOU CANHELPMRI ALS INDTRE: er 30 ft tified p aper f Br
ochur
M
a
x
e fundb 87.SOWHALE (69425) S
mits). Br p
e N
e 150 ft
om r O d
5 H
espon ibly manged f ochur
y N E dinator 562.9803 K
: L A O n
ush F
o D
e andL
A
t -
s O
P
r
• esh Handm C P
N
R 1
og: Jenif
A
O
V P
A
e
P iewng Gudls
s C R s H
or e O
l
er Bas est ui ng 30%post Z A O
O C
osmetic n and c H us a outr OCS hasbendoigmr P ho N l
50
leas vito y
. Dr
E Z
w y •
t inf each, inS O
a yd
onser 3 wings: M
ou canhelprgti
. 0 N T hanks t E
o@ m • in v Pleas r
a M c c - 10 tion, algwheduc asimo D outher c eanc eanc a o NMFS. onsume r w x yd onser onser n C ema/ICR eport inju alif ine malr ast 20 v v a a or v e tion.r tion.r olv . nia sc yd A ed M/ , oremail g g t 40 tional e 198. uzio esar o lear ed, yd . ch n
scien Oc and c pr w as or ojec ean C tific r onser ts leading ganiz onser esar v ed t a tion furc v a ch &edua o c tion S o thepr onduc o w WHALE ciet t ot w tional eans ec y w tion BE . .o c ean c AW ons er r them to enjy and how Bight . Souther of the mals Marine Califor esponibly v
a
tio n.or nia
n
R
E g ! dif mals intheword:up30 of thelar waters ndif the CanlIsdur includes oatShr The Soutr of whales,dpin An excptioaldvrsy and mor fer ent spci! gest poulainfmr n Califor e . equntd byo nia Bght n Califor oundig
nia,
6/2817 5: 17 PM Know them by sight . . . For more info go to: oceanconservation.org Ocean Friends in Peril
The ocean is a remarkable ecosystem, full of life and resources, but it’s also a fragile world. Pollution, climate change and overfishing are only a few of the problems affecting our waters, but the real issue is the cumulative human impact on our oceans. Today, numerous Minke Whale Risso’s Dolphin Gray Whale species of marine mammals are threatened, endangered or criti- Short-beaked Common Dolphin cally endangered and a few have already disappeared within the past several decades. Another significant threat to whales is vessel Bottlenose Dolphin strikes. In recent years, endangered Blue Whales - reaching up to 90 feet in length - have become regular visitors to the Southern Califor-
Sperm Whale nia Bight using this area as foraging grounds. These whales, unfor- tunately, tend to move along the same routes used by ships in the commercial shipping lanes. Fatal ship strikes are a recurrent problem. Harassment by humans, even when intentions are good, can also Killer Whale adversely affect the normal behavior of whales, dolphins and other
Fin Whale Blue Whale marine mammals during feeding, mating and other activities. Let’s A few basic rules to be careful to minimize our impact and respect marine mammals follow and share with others: Observation: When observing marine mammals at sea, make sure • If cetaceans approach your vessel, maintain your course and speed. while enjoying their presence and learning from them. your actions do not cause any change in their behavior. If the animals cut your course, put the boat in neutral and wait until
they clear your vessel. For more info on viewing guidelines check: Observing marine mammals in the wild can be a rewarding and • Upon sighting marine mammals stop your vessel, observe and then http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/viewing.htm educational experience, but we must respect them and their habitat. attempt to parallel the animal’s course. Whales, dolphins and pinnipeds are protected under the Marine Duration: Limit your viewing time to 30 min. to avoid creating unneces- Mammal Protection Act of 1972. It’s a violation of Federal law to • Avoid sudden changes to vessel speed and direction. Dolphins and sary stress for the animals. They need our help to survive and flourish. harass or harm them and penalties can include up to one year im- whales may surface unpredictably at any time or location. prisonment and fines of up to $20,000. Harassment includes pursuit, • NEVER follow behind, approach animals head-on, encircle or trap STAY AWARE! Help us create better ocean stewardship by knowing, torment or annoyance of a marine mammal or attempting to do so. cetaceans between your vessel and shore. sharing and respecting these rules!
Distance: You should remain at least 100 yards (300 feet) from • NEVER feed, touch or ride marine mammals; it is against the law! Learn more about the BE WHALE AWARE CAMPAIGN and how you cetaceans and at least 50 yards (150 feet) from pinnipeds. For more information go to: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/laws can help: www.oceanconservation.org Pacific Harbor Seal California Sea Lion
Be Whale Aware 2017 final.indd 2 6/28/17 5:17 PM Know them by sight . . . For more info go to: oceanconservation.org Ocean Friends in Peril
The ocean is a remarkable ecosystem, full of life and resources, but it’s also a fragile world. Pollution, climate change and overfishing are only a few of the problems affecting our waters, but the real issue is the cumulative human impact on our oceans. Today, numerous Minke Whale Risso’s Dolphin Gray Whale species of marine mammals are threatened, endangered or criti- Short-beaked Common Dolphin cally endangered and a few have already disappeared within the past several decades. Another significant threat to whales is vessel Bottlenose Dolphin strikes. In recent years, endangered Blue Whales - reaching up to 90 feet in length - have become regular visitors to the Southern Califor-
Sperm Whale nia Bight using this area as foraging grounds. These whales, unfor- tunately, tend to move along the same routes used by ships in the commercial shipping lanes. Fatal ship strikes are a recurrent problem. Harassment by humans, even when intentions are good, can also Killer Whale adversely affect the normal behavior of whales, dolphins and other
Fin Whale Blue Whale marine mammals during feeding, mating and other activities. Let’s A few basic rules to be careful to minimize our impact and respect marine mammals follow and share with others: Observation: When observing marine mammals at sea, make sure • If cetaceans approach your vessel, maintain your course and speed. while enjoying their presence and learning from them. your actions do not cause any change in their behavior. If the animals cut your course, put the boat in neutral and wait until
they clear your vessel. For more info on viewing guidelines check: Observing marine mammals in the wild can be a rewarding and • Upon sighting marine mammals stop your vessel, observe and then http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/viewing.htm educational experience, but we must respect them and their habitat. attempt to parallel the animal’s course. Whales, dolphins and pinnipeds are protected under the Marine Duration: Limit your viewing time to 30 min. to avoid creating unneces- Mammal Protection Act of 1972. It’s a violation of Federal law to • Avoid sudden changes to vessel speed and direction. Dolphins and sary stress for the animals. They need our help to survive and flourish. harass or harm them and penalties can include up to one year im- whales may surface unpredictably at any time or location. prisonment and fines of up to $20,000. Harassment includes pursuit, • NEVER follow behind, approach animals head-on, encircle or trap STAY AWARE! Help us create better ocean stewardship by knowing, torment or annoyance of a marine mammal or attempting to do so. cetaceans between your vessel and shore. sharing and respecting these rules!
Distance: You should remain at least 100 yards (300 feet) from • NEVER feed, touch or ride marine mammals; it is against the law! Learn more about the BE WHALE AWARE CAMPAIGN and how you cetaceans and at least 50 yards (150 feet) from pinnipeds. For more information go to: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/laws can help: www.oceanconservation.org Pacific Harbor Seal California Sea Lion
Be Whale Aware 2017 final.indd 2 6/28/17 5:17 PM Be WhalA ware 2017finl.d 1 Easter One caspotmblwhurig r Lions caftebu oys, dckantheir spend althirmbu t pinedscomahr dolphins ar Becaus thylivndor the Califor poulatin fBesDhmvg r yearl migtons.ThSu and HumpbckWhlestr ar side Dolphn,a’ inhabts. OerlkKW,Pcfi- Dolphins, SeaLdHrb beakd nLog-CmDlphis,R’ marine ls,kBotDphS- dolphins, varueSOt.m to mae,givbrhlnd r okeris nthCalI ds. egion alsrv e ocasinlvtr,whGy n NorthPacifi,vedzspf nia dBjcoster e asilyobrvdf s PorpieandS egular coidfthns est. Califor om land.Cetcs n Califor ough teBidrn , BlueFinSMk ch ofpr nia costl e yar nia Se m Whales ey es, th . -r
ound
s
e
e
© 2017 OCS 120 ft Califor P Marine mlV REPO hot If youseatrndiml,kp yourdistancelNMFS os: ©OCS(und er NMFSp Nationl MreFshSvc2480.53196 Boaters cnuVHFhl16i. 60 ft nia StrdgCo entagld, orship-uckw o the24/7WETlin T INCDESOFHARML: FSC c YOU CANHELPMRI ALS INDTRE: er 30 ft tified p aper f Br
ochur
M
a
x
e fundb 87.SOWHALE (69425) S
mits). Br p
e N
e 150 ft
om r O d
5 H
espon ibly manged f ochur
y N E dinator 562.9803 K
: L A O n
ush F
o D
e andL
A
t -
s O
P
r
• esh Handm C P
N
R 1
og: Jenif
A
O
V P
A
e
P iewng Gudls
s C R s H
or e O
l
er Bas est ui ng 30%post Z A O
O C
osmetic n us a H ho P outr and c OCS hasbendoigmr N l
50
leas vito y
. Dr
E Z
w y •
t inf each, inS O
a yd
onser 3 wings: M
ou canhelprgti
. 0 N T hanks t E
o@ m • in v Pleas r
a M c c - 10 tion, algwheduc asimo D outher c eanc eanc a o NMFS. onsume r w x yd onser onser n C ema/ICR eport inju alif ine malr ast 20 v v a a or v e tion.r tion.r olv . nia sc yd A ed M/ , oremail g g t 40 tional e 198. uzio esar o lear ed, yd . ch n
Oc pr scien w and c as or ojec ean C tific r onser ts leading ganiz onser esar v ed t a tion furc v a ch &edua o c tion S o thepr onduc o w WHALE ciet t ot w tional eans ec y w tion BE . .o c ean c AW ons er r them to enjy and how Bight . Califor Souther of the mals Marine esponibly v
a
tio n.or nia
n
R
E g ! dif of thelar waters ndif the CanlIsdur The Soutr mals intheword:up30 includes oatShr and mor of whales,dpin An excptioaldvrsy fer ent spci! gest poulainfmr n Califor e . equntd byo nia Bght n Califor oundig
nia,
6/2817 5: 17 PM