May 6, 2013 — As the Whale SENSE Program enters its fifth year, an estimated 1 million people have been exposed to messages about responsible wildlife viewing. However, this isn’t the only benefit of the program. The collaborative effort involving NOAA, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) and 9 commercial whale watching companies along the east coast help with whale rescues, research and support educational initiatives and conservation programs.
"It is important that we respect and protect the whales that support our livelihood and that we provide an on-the-water example to other mariners of how to behave properly," said Zack Klyver, Bar Harbor Whale Watch.
Entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with vessels are the leading causes of serious whale injuries and deaths off the Northeast. To reduce risks of vessel strike, current regulations and guidelines include slow, safe speeds and required transit routes for vessels when whales are likely to be present. Fishermen and scientists have also made changes to fishing gear and methods to reduce the chances of an animal getting entangled in the first place or make it more likely that the gear will fall away if an animal does pick it up.
Since the program began, at least 17 whale entanglements have been reported by Whale SENSE boats. In instances where Whale SENSE partners were standing by, rescuers were able to more quickly find and help distressed animals.
“Cape May is the second largest commercial fishery on the East Coast and is a huge tourist destination,” said Tracie Cicchitti, The Starlight Fleet and Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center. “We are proud to be a Whale SENSE member. Being able to educate our passengers and pass on safe boating practices around marine mammals will hopefully allow these populations to thrive in our Southern New Jersey waters.”
These companies also aid in ongoing efforts to help scientists better understand whales and other marine life. The Dolphin Fleet compiles a variety of annual data from entanglements, vessel strikes, and images of satellite-tagged whales that record various biological and whale movement information. The first photo identification guide for minke whales was produced by Bar Harbor Whale Watch in collaboration with Allied Whale. Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises and Captain John Boats participate in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary’s seabird surveys. The Starlight Fleet and Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center are working to create a catalogue of individually identified Atlantic bottlenose dolphins commonly seen around Cape May.
When observing whales important to do so from a safe distance for the benefit of the animal and your self.