Company Assessment/ Audit Form

COMPANY ASSESSMENT/ AUDIT FORM:

Company Name: Company Address: Owner Name: Skipper(s) Name:

Vessel Name: Registration No.: Horse Power (kW) Passanger licence:

Whale watching area (s) (Lat/ Long): Species likely to encounter: (common name) Species (latin name) Time of year:

No. of permenent employees: No. of seasonal employees: Name of Naturalist/ Guide(s): Relevant qualifications specific to each:

Certification & Awards: Date of First Assessment: Date of Audit: Next Audit Date:

Mandatory Requirement: Information Required:

Whale watching permit Image or photocopy Passanger Licence: Image or photocopy No Active Sonar / Depth sounders Image of onboard instruments while on a tour i.e. date and time visible on image

Distance of 100 m to whales 50 m to dolphins maintained when vessel approaches cetaceans Verified with digital range finder by inspector

Slow and constant speed of 7-10 knots in presence of cetaceans

Verified by on-board inspector with accelerometer

No chasing cetaceans

No Corralling cetaceans, in particular isolated individuals, mothers & calves, mating or resting cetaceans

On approach from cetaceans vessel remains at constant heading Approach cetaceans from 30° to become parallel with travel i,e. No approach from head on or rear Verified by video footage from a). Passengers of your vessel, b) passengers of another vessel or c). On-board inspector Verified by video footage from a). Passengers of your vessel, b) passengers of another vessel or c). On-board inspector

Verified by on-board inspector

Verified by video footage from a). Passengers of your vessel, b) passengers of another vessel or c). On-board inspector

Compliance (Y/N)

No cause of dispersal i.e. breaking up of pod or separation of mothers and calves

One vessel in watch zone (300 m) while other wait outside Verified by video footage from a). Passengers of your vessel, b) passengers of another vessel or c). On-board inspector Verified by video footage from a). Passengers of your vessel, b) passengers of another vessel or c). On-board inspector

Comments:

Watch time 30 mins max (no other vessel in the area) Watch time 15 mins max (other vessels present outside watch zone)

Verified by on-board inspector

Engine placed in neutral when vessel is in watch zone (300m) Skipper and crew are aware of location of cetaceans to aid in avoidance of vessel collision

Verified by on-board inspector

Verified by on-board inspector

If sperm whale is encountered and begins to shallow dive (1 - 5 minute surface intervals with no tail fluking) - vessel will leave the watch zone at a slow speed of 7 knots. Company does not provide swim with operations No feeding of cetaceans or other marine wildlife

Accurate information provided to passengers on how to behave when there is a sighting e.g no loud sounds

Verified by on-board inspector

Proof required e.g. screenshot email or text

Verified by on-board inspector

Verified by on-board inspector

Accurate information provided to passengers about environmental issues such as threats to cetaceans and their habitats

Verified by on-board inspector

Operators do not attempt to attracts cetaceans through introducing sounds or food Crew have attended training on the biology and behaviour of target species No waste at sea including fuel, lubricants, and plastic materials

Verified by on-board inspector

Planned dates of attendance/ certification or certification evidence

Verified by on-board inspector

All waste is recycled or appropriately disposed of Company does not use single use plastics on-board (e.g. plastic bottles, plates, straws ect..) Compliance with International Labour Organisation and National laws on child labour Evidence of recycle bins onboard

On-board inspection

e.g. A child in Ireland is defined as a person under the age of 16

Employees are paid adequate salaries at least at mime wage Company is compliant with national law on health & safety e.g. minimum wage in Ireland is 9.80 euro/per hour

e.g. PPE, first aid box, radar switched off when observer is above wheelhouse. Inspection.

Recommended Requirement: Information Required: Compliance (Y/N) Comments:

Non-toxic alternatives to anti-fouling to avoid persistent, toxic or bioaccumulating substances Crew must collect floating plastic or fishing gear they encounter if spotted in good time Purchase order evidence

Evidence or on-board inspector

All collected waste must be disposed of appropriately on return to port Company should work with ports to implement collection and recycling programmes for gear found Energy consumption per use and type (e.g. solar, gas ect..) should be noted on an annual basis Evidence of compliance

Evidence of compliance

File uploaded with audit

Annual objectives to reduce energy consumption Keep records of accidents and Injury The company cooperates with Universities, Research Institutes or NGO’s to provide data on local cetaceans Recommendation

Recommendation

Provide evidence e.g. copy of written agreement or other

At least one marine biologist is part of the companies team CV attached to audit report

Company provides a platform for research on local cetacean population The company provides and encourages citizen science

Company keeps a log of and reports injured or dead floating cetaceans to relevant authorities Marine biologist undertakes these activities - provide summary of research to date in next audit

Use of Observers App or other NGO’s reporting scheme e.g. IWDG - project description attached in following audit e.g. Irish Entanglement Alliance or use of observers app