A Guide to Boating

A guide to boating and swimming around whales, dolphins and seals One of the great pleasures of Victoria’s coast line is the opportunity to see whales, dolphins and seals. From Nelson to Mallacoota, there’s a good chance to see a dolphin riding the bow of a boat, a whale leaping out of the water or a seal lazing on a beach. The Wildlife (Marine Mammal) Regulations 2009 are a set of laws to protect seals, dolphins and whales in Victoria. This brochure shows the distances to be kept from marine mammals to ensure your safety and minimise our impact on these special animals.

Keep your distance Watch whales, dolphins and seals responsibly and admire them from a distance. Use binoculars or a camera lens to get a closer look.

When boating Don’t get too close. It’s OK for whales, dolphins and seals to approach you, but don’t approach them closer than the permitted distances. Wherever possible, leave encounters to chance and at the animal’s choice (see Figure 1). If a whale, dolphin or seal takes an interest in you, slow down, don’t change course or speed suddenly and take care to avoid collisions. If there is a need to stop, reduce speed gradually.

Figure 1: Boating around marine animals

On land Okay if the animal Deviating towards the approaches vessel animals is not allowed

Unless a breeding colony (see Protection Zones)

* 30m

* Unless for safe passage No go zone For whales and dolphins: In the ‘no go zone’ (shown as a black circle in Figures 2 and 3) recreational boats must not approach within: • 100 metres of a dolphin or • 200 metres of a whale Jet skis are not permitted within 300 metres of any whale or dolphin as they have a bigger impact upon these animals. For seals: • For seals in water, there are no distance restrictions, however vessels must abide by the ‘caution’ and ‘no approach’ zone (see Figure 4) • For seals on land, you must keep at least 30 metres away, whether you are in the water or also on land (see Figure 5) • For seals on a boat ramp or other man-made structures (in water or on land), you must keep at least 5 metres away (see Figure 6) • Restrictions apply to approaching seal breeding colonies (see Protection Zones overleaf). These restrictions are for your own safety. The only exceptions to this are where you need to move past a seal for safety reasons, to land and retrieve your boat, or to navigate along recognised channels. No approach zone The “no approach zone” (shown in red in Figures 2, 3 and 4) is the area directly in front of and behind whales, dolphins or seals. If you see a whale, dolphin or seal while boating, you must not knowingly approach the animal from these directions. It is also illegal to deliberately position your boat in the path of a whale, dolphin or seal. Caution zone The “caution zone” (shown in orange in Figures 2, 3 and 4) is the area within 300 metres either side of a whale, 150 metres either side of a dolphin and 50 metres either side of a seal. When boating in this zone, you must: • avoid sudden changes in speed or direction • maintain a constant speed not exceeding 5 knots (8 kph) • leave the zone if a whale, dolphin or seal shows any sign of disturbance • not separate any individual whale, dolphin or seal from its group • not come between a mother and her young. Reporting infringements Under the Wildlife Act 1975, people who undertake illegal interactions with whales, dolphins and seals can be fined up to $6,000 or face 6 months imprisonment. Illegal interactions can be reported to the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186. If in doubt, report it! You can remain anonymous if you wish. Figure 2: Whale approach distances

300m 150m Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots) (reduce speed to 5 knots)

30° 30°

200m 100m 2 2 0 0 0 0 m m

No approach No approach No approach No approach from behind or waiting from behind or waiting in front in front

200m 100m Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots) (reduce speed to 5 knots)

300m 300m

Figure 3: Dolphin approach distances

300m 150m Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots) (reduce speed to 5 knots)

30° 30°

200m 100m 2 2 0 0 0 0 m m

No approach No approach No approach No approach from behind or waiting from behind or waiting in front in front

200m 100m Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots) (reduce speed to 5 knots)

300m 150m Figure 4: Seal approach distances on water

50m

Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots)

30°

No approach No approach from behind or waiting in front

Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots)

50m

Figure 5: Seal on land approach distances

No hovering or flying over 5m On Land

No approaching head on 300 metres (1000 feet) NO FLY ZONE NO FLY ZONE 300 metres 300 metres (1000 feet) 300 metres (1000 feet) (1000 feet)

30m 30m 5m*

Seal onSeal land on = land 30m = 30m

* unless for safe passage 50m

Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots)

30°

No approach No approach from behind or waiting in front

Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots)

50m

Figure 6: Seal on man-made structures

No hovering or flying over 5m

No approaching head on 300 metres

(1000 feet) e.g. Chinaman’s Hat NO FLY ZONE NO FLY ZONE 300m 150m 300 metres 300 metres (1000 feet) 300 metres (1000 feet) (1000 feet) Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots) (reduce speed to 5 knots)

30° 30° 5m*

100m 50m 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 m m m m

No approach No approach No approach No approach from behind or waiting from behind or waiting e.g. Boat ramp or pier in front in front

* unless for safe passage

100m 50m

In narrow waterways 200m 100m In waterways less thanWithdraw 300 metres to 200m ifwide, calf present keep at least 30 metres Withdraw to 100m if calf present Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone away from dolphins and(reduce whales. speed The to 5 knots)only exception to this is where (reduce speed to 5 knots) you need to pass closer for safety reasons (see Figures 7 and 8). 300m 150m

Figure 7: Approaching a whale in a narrow waterway

300m 150m Must exit caution Must exit caution zone asap Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots) zone asap (reduce speed to 5 knots)

30° 30°

30m* 30m* 2 2 0 0 0 0 m m

No approach No approach No approach No approach from behind or waiting from behind or waiting in front in front

Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots) (reduce speed to 5 knots) Must exit caution Must exit caution zone asap zone asap * Unless necessary for safe passage * Unless necessary for safe passage 300m 150m Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots) (reduce speed to 5 knots)

30° 30°

100m 50m 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 m m m m

No approach No approach No approach No approach from behind or waiting from behind or waiting in front in front

100m 50m

200m 100m Withdraw to 200m if calf present Withdraw to 100m if calf present Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots) (reduce speed to 5 knots)

300m 150m Figure 8: Approaching a dolphin in a narrow waterway

300m 150m Must exit caution Must exit caution zone asap Vessel Caution Zone Vessel Caution Zone (reduce speed to 5 knots) zone asap (reduce speed to 5 knots)

30° 30°

30m* 30m* 2 2 0 0 0 0 m m

No approach No approach No approach No approach from behind or waiting from behind or waiting in front in front

When swimming or surfing It’s important to remember whales, dolphins and seals are large animals and may see you as a threat. There have been numerous cases where humans have been bitten by seals, knocked over by dolphins, or hurt or killed trying to swim with large whales. To protect you and the animals, you must not swim or surf any closer than 30 metres of a dolphin (see Figure 9) or 50 metres of a whale (see Figure 10). There are no restrictions on how close you can swim or surf near a seal in the water, but you should be careful as seals can bite or knock you over.30m 30m

FigureSwimmer 9: Dolphin approachDolphin distances Surfer

30m 30m

Swimmer Dolphin Surfer

Figure 10: Whale approach distances 50m 50m

Swimmer Whale Surfer 50m 50m

Swimmer Whale Surfer Protection zones

There are a number of important areas in Victoria where whales, dolphins and seals gather, breed and feed. Marine mammals are given special protection in these areas to minimise disturbance.

Melbourne Lakes Entrance Lady Julia The Skerries Percy Island Ticonderoga Traralgon Warrnambool Cape Bridgewater Logans Seal Rocks Beach Rag Island Kanowna Island

Hands off Feeding fish scraps to seals and Remember that whales, dolphins dolphins can result in people and seals are wild animals and getting bitten. In some cases, not pets. They generally don’t habituated animals may have to like being touched and can bite, be euthanised if they continually scratch or slap you with their approach people for food. fins. Numerous bites have been Wild animals are hunters and reported by people trying to don’t need people to survive. pat or grab onto these animals. It’s not good for the animal Responsible pet and nearly any wild animal, no ownership matter how timid or small, is Wildlife and pets don’t mix. capable Keep pets on a leash or leave of inflicting injury. them at home. Both pets and wild animals can be injured in Don’t feed wild animals unexpected encounters. Never attempt to feed wildlife. When walking your dog, stay at Wild animals rarely (if ever) need least 50 metres away from seals. to be fed by humans. Some This will reduce stress for the animals can become dependant seal and the chance of your dog on handouts or aggressive getting bitten. Dogs can transfer when they don’t get what they diseases to seals and vice versa. expect. They can also get sick from eating inappropriate food or injure themselves if they swim too close to boats. ... continued

Melbourne Lakes Entrance Lady Julia The Skerries Percy Island Ticonderoga Traralgon Warrnambool Cape Bridgewater Logans Seal Rocks Beach Rag Island Kanowna Island

If you are in a boat, you must Choosing a tour operator not let your dog enter the water Licensed tour operators are within 150 metres of a dolphin, permitted to approach whales, 300 metres of a whale or dolphins and seals closer than 50 metres of a seal. the distances detailed above, subject to a range of strict Let wildlife be wild operating conditions. Limit the time you spend watching whales, dolphins and For more information on the seals. Encounters with people rules relevant to tour operators, can be stressful for animals and please visit the DSE website at: alter their behaviour. Fifteen www.dse.vic.gov.au minutes is usually reasonable. Reporting injured Chances are you are not the only person to approach the or distressed marine animal that day. mammals Stranded, entangled, sick or Remember the sea and injured whales or dolphins surrounds are their home; should be reported to the you are visiting, so keep Whale and Dolphin Emergency your distance and avoid Hotline on 1300 136 017. disturbing them. Do not report seal or penguin issues to this number. Stranded, entangled, sick or injured seals or penguins should be reported to the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186. Melbourne Lakes Entrance Warrnambool Traralgon Cape Bridgewater

Cape Bridgewater

141°24'0"E 141°24'30"E 141°25'0"E

r e a t Bridgewater Bay

S o u th

e s t

W a lk 38°23'30"S 38°23'30"S

Low Water Mark

G 50 metre buffer r eat from Low Water Mark South W est Walk 38° 23' 45.1" S 141° 24' 48.4" E

Low Water Mark

38° 23' 44.5" S 141° 24' 31" E 38° 23' 46.2" S 141° 24' 31" E 38°24'0"S SOUTHERN OCEAN 38°24'0"S

141°24'0"E 141°24'30"E 141°25'0"E

Cape Bridgewater Seal Breeding Colony LEGL./09-306

Cashmore

Portland

Cape 0 160 320 480 640 Bridgewater Seal Breeding colony Meters Ocean or waterbody Projection : Vicgrid 94 N Latitude and Longitude values are based on GDA 94 Discovery Bay Coastal Park

Cape Bridgewater, near Portland • Boats not permitted within 100 metres of a seal during breeding season (1 November to end of February). • Outside breeding season, boats not permitted closer than 50 metres of a seal. • Jet skis not permitted within 300 metres. Lady Julia Melbourne Lakes Entrance Percy Island Traralgon Warrnambool

Lady Julia Percy Island

141°59'30"E 142°0'0"E 142°0'30"E 142°1'0"E

Portland Bay 38°24'30"S 38°24'30"S

k Lady Julia Percy Island Mar

r Wate

ow L rk a M 38°25'0"S 38°25'0"S

r e at W

w o L 38°25'30"S 38°25'30"S

141°59'30"E 142°0'0"E 142°0'30"E 142°1'0"E

Lady Julia Percy Island Seal Breeding Colony Macarthur LEGL./09-240

Heywood

Tyrendarra

0 150 300 450 600 Exclusion zone Portland Port Fairy Meters Ocean or waterbody N Projection : Vicgrid 94

Lady Julia Percy Island, near Port Fairy • Boats not permitted within 100 metres of a seal during breeding season (1 November to end of February). • Outside breeding season, boats not permitted closer than 50 metres of a seal. • Jet skis not permitted within 300 metres. Melbourne Lakes Entrance Warrnambool Traralgon Logans Beach

Logan’s Beach

142°29'0"E 142°30'0"E 142°31'0"E 142°32'0"E 142°33'0"E 142°34'0"E 142°35'0"E

d R

e e

38°22'0"S k

a l

d r Dr o y R R lakes Rd a d

g M la e R n n i P l d r ds ds e e t r

b o S f A

n n af t a y S n a B wy

H 38°23'0"S e Princes H ces Pd wy Prin glan 38°23'0"S a F R la x m a H n d op S k R t ins R k iver r a

e e

J Lady Bay Hopkins Rd 38°24'0"S

d 38° 24' 9" S H R 38°24'0"S Low o 142° 30' 29.6" E pk m Point Ritchie in a W s r ate o r o

P T oint Rd

2438° ' 45.1" S M ar 142° 30' 22.9" E k Gaul's Cave

38° 25' 1.4" S 38°25'0"S 142° 33' 6.5" E 38°25'0"S

38° 25' 49.9" S 142° 32' 32.5" E 38°26'0"S 38°26'0"S

SOUTHERN OCEAN S " 0 ' 7 2 ° 8 142°29'0"E 142°30'0"E 142°31'0"E 142°32'0"E 142°33'0"E 142°34'0"E 142°35'0"E 3

Logans Beach Exclusion Zone

LEGL./09-035 Woolsthorpe

Koroit

Warrnambool Port Fairy 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 Exclusion zone

Meters Ocean or waterbody N Projection : Vicgrid 94 Latitude and Longitude values are based on GDA 94 Peterborough

Logan’s Beach Exclusion Zone, near Warrnambool • All boating activity (including jet skis) prohibited in Logan’s Beach Exclusion Zone from 1 June to 31 October each year. Melbourne Lakes Entrance Ticonderoga Traralgon Warrnambool

Ticonderoga Bay

144°38'0"E 144°38'30"E 144°39'0"E 144°39'30"E 144°40'0"E 144°40'30"E 144°41'0"E 144°41'30"E 144°42'0"E 144°42'30"E 144°43'0"E 144°43'30"E 38°17'0"S

Port Phillip 38°17'30"S 38°17'30"S

38° 17' 56.9" S 144 ° 38' 54.8" E 2 50

Nepean Rock 38°18'0"S 38°18'0"S from me tre Lo 38° 18' 5" S ffer w 144° 38' 54.8" E bu W 38° 18' 7.5" S a 38° 18' 46.8" S W ter 144° 39' 5.2" E at er 144° 42' 19.6" E Low M ark 38°18'30"S 38°18'30"S

D ef en Ma ce r k 38° 18' 56.6" S 144° 42' 19.6" E Police Point R d 38°19'0"S 38°19'0"S Po int Nep ean Rd

h h

a dge Rd e Bri B on 38°19'30"S 38°19'30"S d Lon k k

B Ho tham Rd 38°20'0"S 38°20'0"S BASS STRAIT 38°20'30"S 38°20'30"S N

144°38'0"E 144°38'30"E 144°39'0"E 144°39'30"E 144°40'0"E 144°40'30"E 144°41'0"E 144°41'30"E 144°42'0"E 144°42'30"E 144°43'0"E 144°43'30"E

Ticonderoga Bay Sanctuary Zone LEGL./09-236 Portarlington

Geelong

Queenscliff 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Sanctuary Zone Barwon Heads Portsea Dromana Kilometers N Projection : Vicgrid 94 Ocean or waterbody Rye Latitude and Longitude values are based on GDA 94 Port Philip Heads Marine National Park

Ticonderoga Bay Sanctuary Zone, Port Phillip Bay • Boats must not approach within 200 metres of a whale or dolphin. • Jet skis not permitted within 300 metres of a whale or dolphin. • Boats can enter the area, but if a whale or dolphin is present, keep your distance. • Boats must not exceed 5 knots within 200 metres of shore. Melbourne Lakes Entrance Warrnambool Traralgon Seal Rocks

Seal Rocks

145°5'30"E 145°6'0"E 145°6'30"E

The Nobbies 38°31'30"S Seal Rocks 38°31'30"S

Low Water Mark

Black Rock

BASS STRAIT 38°32'0"S 38°32'0"S

145°5'30"E 145°6'0"E 145°6'30"E

Seal Rocks Seal Breeding Colony Hastings LEGL./09-237

Stony Point

Cowes 0 125 250 375 500 Flinders Seal Breeding colony Bass San Remo Meters Ocean or waterbody N Projection : Vicgrid 94

Seal Rocks, Phillip Island • Boats not permitted within 30 metres of a seal. • Jet skis not permitted within 300 metres. Melbourne Lakes Entrance Warrnambool Traralgon

Kanowna Island

Anderson ANWONAK Islets DNALSI rof tatibah tnacifingis( )slaes ruF nailartsuA

Kanowna Island

Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park No vessels within 200 metres of Kanowna Island during November to January (inclusive) N No vessels within 50 metres of Kanowna Island 0 300 600 during February to October (inclusive) Ocean / Coastline Metres G/7100.2 NB: Special Protection Area Overlay also includes access to exposed intertidal areas on all islands within the planning area, except the beach areas on Great Glennie and Rabbit Islands (section 6.2).

Kanowna Island, Wilson’s Promontory • Boats not permitted within 200 metres of Kanowna Island between November and January or within 50 metres between February and October.

Under the provisions of the National Parks Act 1975 all classes of vessels, other than those operating under a Licensed Tour Operator Permit, are prohibited to approach within 200 metres of Kanowna Island between November and January or within 50 metres between February and October. Melbourne Lakes Entrance Warrnambool Traralgon Rag Island

Rag Island

146°40'30"E 146°41'0"E

38°57'0"S 38°57'0"S

W a approx 1.2 km te Rag Island r to Cliffy Island M ark w L o

ark L r M ow t e a

38°57'30"S 38°57'30"S

BASS STRAIT

146°40'30"E 146°41'0"E

Rag Island Seal Breeding Colony Mirboo LEGL./09-241 Woodside Foster Port Albert

Yanakie

0 100 200 300 400 Seal Breeding colony Tidal River Meters Ocean or waterbody N Projection : Vicgrid 94

Rag Island, Cliffy Group east of Wilson’s Promontory • Boats not permitted within 100 metres of a seal during breeding season (1 November to end of February). • Outside breeding season, boats not permitted closer than 50 metres of a seal. • Jet skis not permitted within 300 metres. Melbourne Lakes Entrance

Warrnambool The Skerries Traralgon

The Skerries

149°30'0"E 149°30'30"E 149°31'0"E 149°31'30"E

I W 37°44'30"S

S CROAJINGOLONG NATIONAL A PARK E

W 37°44'30"S ASBY A E L K I N G K TRAC

Wingan Inlet 37°45'0"S

The Skerries 37°45'0"S

Low Water Mark

Low Water Mark The Skerries

Low Water Mark 37°45'30"S

TASMAN SEA 37°45'30"S

149°30'0"E 149°30'30"E 149°31'0"E 149°31'30"E

The Skerries Seal Breeding Colony LEGL./09-239

Cann River Mallacoota 0 150 300 450 600 Seal Breeding colony Bemm River Meters Ocean or waterbody N Projection : Vicgrid 94

The Skerries, Croajingalong National Park • Boats not permitted within 100 metres of a seal during the breeding season (1 November to end of February). • Outside breeding season, boats not permitted closer than 50 metres of a seal. • Jet skis not permitted within 300 metres. Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne, March 2011 © The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2011 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne Printed by Stream Solutions Printed on recycled paper ISBN 978-1-74242-999-1 (print) ISBN 978-1-74242-000-7 (online) For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186 Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Photography Images provided by John Gibbens and Darren Jew This document is also available in PDF format on the Internet at www.dse.vic.gov.au