PHOTO: © IFAW/C. LACEY
WILD ISLAND
Watch out – whales about “Whale and dolphin reliance on sound for communicating, foraging and breeding means that exposure to additional noise can be detrimental.” ecreational boaters need a greater understanding of what to do when encountering whales and dolphins according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (www.ifaw.org). The organisation has released a report, The Impact of Recreational boats around Whales and Dolphins in their Australian Habitats, which also said park rangers and enforcement officers need to be better resourced to ensure that current whale watching guidelines and regulations are adequately enforced. “[Nationally] we have around a million boats in our waters and this is due to increase,” IFAW campaigner Matthew Collis said. “While most people are relaxing, enjoying their surroundings, unfortunately there are a few whose lack of knowledge or irresponsible behaviour is putting whales and dolphins at risk. “IFAW is asking people to keep watch for whales and dolphins, keep their distance,
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and keep speed and noise down to avoid disturbing these magnificent animals that come to our shores every year,” he said. IFAW says there is growing evidence that the noise made by small vessels could be a threat to whales and dolphins. “Whale and dolphin reliance on sound for communicating, foraging and breeding means that exposure to additional noise can be detrimental. The problem of noise disturbance is not limited to just large ships. Even small boats can reduce the communication range of bottlenose dolphins from 26 to 58% within 50 metres.” The potential problems from disturbance may include disruption of behaviour, displacement from important habitat areas, and reduced breeding success. In its research IFAW found that guidelines and regulations in Australia compared well against world standards, but said there was increasing concern about the inappropriate actions of a few recreational boat owners.
Australian National Guidelines for Whale and Dolphin Watching state: • Boats should not approach a whale any closer than 100 metres. • A dolphin no closer than 50 metres, and • not directly from the rear or the front of the animal. • If a calf is present this “caution” distance extends to: • 150 metres for a dolphin • 300 metres for a whale • Boats should travel at slow speeds with no sudden changes of direction and no more than three vessels should be within the so-called “caution” zone (150m of a dolphin and 300m of a whale) at any one time. (Source: www.IFAW.org).
STRADDIE ISLAND NEWS 13