green sea turtle (photo: Gcorgc Balaz. NMFS)
Marine Mammal and Sea M e
60'-
View& "Code of Canduct?'
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Vessels that wish to position themselves so
that the animals would pass them, should do so
in a manner that stays fully clear of the animal's
path.
QTo rednce the p&entialfor rviIdIife viewing that isadwrtently harms naatiw mammals or W'0ktes FaSeml
h,the NaJio~alMarinePisheii8sS m f c e(NMFS)provide# ibd foNmuing ir,fonnatio~+
nndg~ridelines
for viewing wltales, dolpkins, seals, a d s e a b d e s in the NMFS
SorttheastRegion @OBINot* Carolina to Texas,Prrerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
Close app~achexby kcrrwsrcs to nrm'ae mammals may
cause thetn to lose their retnral wsriness ard keonre
aggresssive towurdspeople. They are also vulnerable to
irrjuy or death fro?#z e~ttangleme~tt
in fishing gear or
boat strikes. NMFS sfreugly enconrates peuple taf d Iorv the grtidelines pr.escntedhere while spending tinie
ON or rear the water.
& amee &at mewine mmmah may surbec
r h ~ ~ ~ ~ E o a U a n r .
Lra to I*&#
wliBLs
2 T i m spent
marine launwsls
tn1tksabouldbe~edw1/2hau:
3.
~
s
n
r
sea
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rmrlshar.
a WH.
(K sea turtk,
s &e
b.1 neatral amd allat* the
~ O a ~ A n y v c S a a ~ t B h o u l t
U l e * o f t k ~ *
* Pus.ra&rppErC
Mbl,
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Wit your rb?tP@time.
Prolonged exposure to one or more vessels increases the likelihood that marine mammals will
be disturbed.
* Viewing periods of greater than % hour should
be undertaken only if you are absolutely sure
that you are not causing disturbance or any
changes in behavior.
* Since individual animals' reactions will vary,
carefully observe all animals and leave the vicinity if you see signs of disturhance.
l b cYour
~ vessel may not be the only vessel in the day
that approaches the same animal($); please he
aware of cumulative impacts.
Breaching and flipper slapping whales may endanger people and/or vessels.
Please review tlzese gttidelines and make the ''Code of
C6nd1tcPpers01talpra~'ce.
Bring binocwlars along 011
a viewing excursion to assure a g w d viewf r m the recommended viewiug diskrnces. Together we can assure
niarine mammal viewing will be as z ~ w r d i n gas it is
todayfor alnnj~gerreratioior~sto come.
I
Marine memmls awe mme llM& to 5e .aWd'rhcn~maneifiari.ane bbot irS 6mWm
IPkvd fD u pmlktablc mmacr.
appear to be less disturbed
~ N ~ ~ ~ ~ f c e d m r a t t c m p t t o i r r dMarine
~ a e mammals
~ ~
by vessels that are traveling in a predictable
manner.
.
The departure from a viewing area has as
much potential to disturb animals as the approach.
If a marine mammal or sea turtle approaches,
put your engine in neutral and allow the animal
to pass.
Never pursue or follow marine wildlife.
Never attempt to herd, chase, or separate groups
of marine mammals or females from their young.
Avoid excessive speed or sudden changes in
speed or direction in the vicinity of animals.
W a fmllCkW
& on the loolsut for w a k
As theirpopulatiohs expand, seals are being
found in southeastern states with increasing
regularity, especially in North Carolina.
Viewing or approaching seals hauled out on land
should he done without the animal's awareness
of your presence.
Avoid detection by sight, smell, or sound (e.g.,
by staying hidden behind natural cover and approaching viewing areas quietly by avoiding
conversation and noisy movements).
Pups are often left done when the mothw is
feeding.
-
Avoid approaching the animals when another
vessel is near.
Always leave marine mammals an "escape
route?'
When several vessels are in an area, communication between operators will help ensure that
you do not cause disturbance.
I NMFS Southeast Region I
in U.S. waters. jMRc is defined as "to
nt, captiire, or kill any marine tnammal."
Mqrlm mamhla hrw @ f l lii&ng
~
and melit
mpealm oommunlutc by uucattzlng mdemter.
Underwater sound prodaced by a wsse13s engfnes and propellers can d i i r b these animals,
k
amnia1 stuck in the wild; or has tlie potential
'durb a marine smmmal or marine ntanrm
ock in the wild by causing disruption of behavral patterns, including, bnf not limited to, milion, breathing, rrrrrsing, breeding,feeding, or
eZfen'ng.'> some exceptions ilre made for spe-
I%
c
' C & j u $a*#m
"
th$-8
rm
& & i e a ~ & t b t ~ t a ~ ~ 9 i ally authorized scientific research.
*
*
Rapid chqngesin dlredion o r swimming speed.
Erratic s w h n h g patterns.
Escape tactics such tls pral~ngeddiving, underm t e r exhalation, underwater murse changes,
or rapid swimming at me mrface.
Tail slapping or lateral tail wishing at the surfacee
Rmale attemptingtoshielda calf with herbotly
m*
.w
ff &fi@
.d
. @
% fm
Ma*'
sc~'iurtle.
DO
not touch or swim with the animals.
is further defined by regulation to include
ng or attempting to feed a ararine mazfiirrcal
I
1
I
dependent od handouts, and can be harmful *D
their health.
Wlarinemammals, Hkeall ail6 animals9may bite
and inflict injuries &
I pechple who try to feed
them.
.--..--.-- -- -'
Southeast Enforcement Division
9721 Executive Center Drive N., Ste. 201
urg, FL 33702
S
570-5344
bStlr information on nlenatees, 3-c
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Manatee Coordinator
6620 Southpoint Drive S., Ste. 310
Jacksonville, FL 32216-0912
(904) 232-2580
It can alter their natural behavtor, make them
-
National Marine Fisheries Service
Southeast Region
Protected Resources Division
9721 Executive Center Drive N., Ste. 201
St. Petershurg, FL 33702
(727) 570-5312
I1
he Endangered SpeciesAct (ESA) provides adt i protection to species of marine mammals
sted as endangered or threatened. The ESA
rohihits the take of species listed as endangered
r threatened. The definition of take is the same
rider tbe ESA as under the kl&n'A, except that
EsA
the terms harm, pursue, shoot,
ound, trap and collect.
t-
Marine Mammal and Sea
IhrtleViewing Guidelines
The maximum fine for violating the MMPA is $20,000
and one year in jail. The maximum fine for violating
the ESA is $50,000 and one year in jail.
Fwnad~ti011a1
information on sea t u r t & f m :
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Sea 'lhrtle Coordinator
6620 Southpoint Drive S., Ste. 310
Jacksonville, FL 32216-0912
(904) 232-2580