Proposed U.S. rules worry B.C. whale-watching industry
Last Updated: Friday, July 31, 2009 | 9:35 PM PT
CBC News
Larry Paike of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans says whales suffer from noise pollution caused by boats. (CBC)The U.S. is considering adopting new regulations that would double the distance boats must keep from killer whales in the Puget Sound – and those in B.C.'s whale-watching industry worry it could hurt business.
The proposed mandatory rules would prohibit all vessels from coming within 183 metres of killer whales, double the distance of the voluntary buffer zone many tour operators already follow.
"For that distance to double, it would mean that tourists or anyone who wanted to view the marine mammals might have to use telephoto lenses or binoculars," said Larry Paike of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The DFO says whales, particularly southern resident killer whales, suffer from noise pollution and struggle to naturally migrate and feed.
"Any of these types of disturbances places additional stress on the animals and it may prevent their long-term productivity. That's what we're trying to minimize. We're essentially speaking for the animals," Paike said.
Tour operators fear impact on business
Dan Kukat with Springtide Whale Tours says the regulations could be bad for business. (CBC)But Dan Kukat of Springtide Whale Tours in Victoria said the move is going to hurt business.
"The further away you get ... the more difficult it is for that personal interaction to be touched. It's that emotion you need to draw on to get people to do something," he said.
Kukat said greater public awareness and action to protect marine life comes from the millions of people who have taken whale-watching tours and seen the mammals up close.
Visitor David MacAulay said he's not sure he'd spend the money to be so far away.
"As a tourist looking for photographs, it's not a good thing."
Tourist Ken Scott agreed.
"You'd probably think twice about it."
With the U.S. moving forward with the proposed regulations, those in the industry expect Canada will likely be close behind.
