Code of Conduct for responsible whale watching CODE OF CONDUCT

For Responsible Whale Watching

We have to remember that these are wild animals and to enjoy them for the future we need to show them patience and respect. We will try to get you close but how close we get is always on the animal’s terms as we aim to minimise disturbance.

This is a Code of Conduct we aim to abide by, however, variables to consider when out at sea, such as the weather, number prey availability, if there are calves present, animal behaviour and forth.

Searching-Zone

Keep a dedicated lookout and stay in radio contact with other vessels departing).

Avoid making sudden or excessive noises and disturbance for the cetacean.

Avoid sudden speed or course changes (approaching and departing).

Assess the cetacean behaviour and avoid repeated attempts to interact with showing signs of distress.

Approaching-Zone (300m >)

Aim at maintaining a distance of 300 m at the beginning of the encounter closer with time. Stop the main propeller (max speed 5-6 mph). If the cetacean is travelling up a little (up to 8 mph) but not directly towards the animal. Avoid following behind cetacean and never deliberately approach directly movements should parallel them by approaching cautiously at an oblique Don’t come closer if there is another boat in the approaching zone, unless the away or signals that it safe to approach.

Take turns if there are more boats in the area, preferably each boat shouldn’t than 20-30 minutes within the area at once.

Approaching-Zone

We have to remember that these are wild animals and to enjoy them for the future we need to show them patience and respect. We will try to get you close but how close we get is always on the animal’s terms as we aim to minimize disturbance.

This is a Code of Conduct we aim to abide by, however, there are many variables to consider when out at sea, such as the weather, number of whales, prey availability, if there are calves present, animal behaviour and so on and so forth.

Searching-Zone (3000 m >)

Keep a dedicated lookout and stay in radio contact with other vessels (approaching and departing).

Avoid making sudden or excessive noises and disturbance for the cetacean. Avoid sudden speed or course changes (approaching and departing). Assess the cetacean behaviour and avoid repeated attempts to interact with animals that are showing signs of distress.

Approaching-Zone (300 m >)

Aim at maintaining a distance of 300 m at the beginning of the encounter and gradually get closer with time.

Stop the main propeller (max speed ~5-6 mph). If the cetacean is travelling fast you can speed up a little (up to ~8 mph) but not directly towards the animal.

Never (deliberately) sail through pods of concentrated cetacean. Keep a steady speed if dolphins approach the vessel and start bow-riding let them pass.

Ekki skal gera tilraunir til að hvetja höfrunga til að synda í bógöldu skipsins.

Ensure that the vessel does not disturb nesting or resting birds.

Caution-Zone (50m >)

When possible, stop the propeller if cetacean approaches the vessel and propulsion until the cetacean is observed well clear of your vessel. Do not touch, swim with or feed cetacean.

Avoid following behind cetacean and never deliberately approach directly in front. Vessel movements should parallel them by approaching cautiously at an oblique angle (from behind). Do not come closer if there is another boat in the approaching zone, unless the other boat gives away or signals that it safe to approach. Take turns if there are more boats in the area, preferably each boat should not spend more than 20-30 minutes within the area at once. Never (deliberately) sail through pods of concentrated cetacean. Keep a steady speed if dolphins approach the vessel and start bow-riding or slowly stop and let them pass.

Do not attempt to encourage dolphins to bow-ride. Ensure that the vessel does not disturb nesting or resting birds.

Caution-Zone (50 m >)

When possible, stop the propeller if cetacean approaches the vessel and do not re-engage propulsion until the cetacean is observed well clear of your vessel. Do not touch, swim with or feed cetacean.

If you think that this Code of Conduct has not been fulfilled, please discuss it with the crew, send an e-mail to Gentle Giants (info@gentlegiants.is) and / or contact the IceWhale office (info@icewhale.is).

Supporting Academic Research

Gentle Giants has good cooperation with the University of Iceland’s Research Centre in Húsavík, offering our boats as a platform for marine biology research. Feel free to ask about their research if you see them on board.

Húsavík means “The House Bay” and is a town in northern Iceland, located on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi Bay. It was first settled in 870 AD by a Swedish Viking, Garðar Svavarsson. According to the Book of Settlement, he circumnavigated Iceland and was the first one to discover it is an island. Garðar spent one winter in Húsavík before returning to Sweden, leaving one of his men, Náttfari, behind. He stayed in Iceland until he died and is therefore considered to be the very first Nordic settler. Húsavík is one of Iceland’s oldest local names.

Like many other towns on the coast, the fishing industry has played a vital part for Húsavík’s local development. Agriculture and farming have also been important for the inhabitants. Moreover, Iceland’s first co-op was founded in Húsavík in 1882. In recent years, yet another trade has grown in Húsavík – the tourism industry. The biggest visitor attraction is whale watching and our hometown has in fact become known as the Whale Watching Capital of Europe. Thousands of tourists visit Húsavík annually in hope of seeing the gentle giants of the ocean.

Despite a total population of only 2,508 (2023), Húsavík is rich with culture and activities. Our top museums are the Húsavík Whale Museum and the Culture House. Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths offers a unique bathing experience overlooking Skjálfandi Bay. Our church, built in 1907, is one of the main symbols of Húsavík, located in the heart of the town. A local and colourful festival called Mærudagar (Candy Days) is held in Húsavík in the end of July every year. For more information about Húsavík, please visit www.visithusavik.com.