Photo courtesy Roland Alford Top of the Life Fishing observed Dec 2022 between Gladden Spit and Glovers
Marine Mammals - Vessels & Approaches
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The United Nations Environment Programme created "The Development of Overarching Principles and Guidelines for Best Practices for Marine Mammal Watching in the Wider Caribbean region" to be used as a tool to guide local regulations. These guidelines for boat interaction are summarized for safe viewing of marine mammals in Belize.
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GENTLE GIANT REMINDERS
Marine mammals reside and migrate through the Belize Barrier Reef
Keep in mind these are wild animals and we are visitors in their home
Use your very best judgement when observing marine life
Document & report all sightings
WHAT TYPES OF VESSELS SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO VIEW MARINE MAMMALS?
Prohibited Vessels
Certain vessels should not be used for whale and dolphin watching. These include all personal motorized watercraft (e.g. jet skis and similar crafts, and underwater vessels), parasail, remotely operated craft, wing in ground effect craft, hovercraft, windsurfers, kite surfers.
Allowable Vessels
Vessels recommended for use in whale and dolphin watching include all other motorized and/or sail craft.
Certain vessels should not be used for whale and dolphin watching. These include all personal motorized watercraft (e.g. jet skis and similar crafts, and underwater vessels), parasail, remotely operated craft, wing in ground effect craft, hovercraft, windsurfers, kite surfers.
Allowable Vessels
Vessels recommended for use in whale and dolphin watching include all other motorized and/or sail craft.
ANGLES & DISTANCES OF APPROACH
Recommended approach distance for whales.
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Recommended approach for dolphins.
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Approach
The most appropriate method for approaching a whale or a dolphin is from the side and slightly to the rear of the animal. Avoid approaches from head on or directly from behind.
Caution Zone
The caution zone is the area within 100m - 300m from a whale and 50m – 300m from a dolphin.
No Approach Zone
These distances refer to active approaches by vessels moving towards cetaceans.
Dolphins and whales may sometimes approach vessels to closer distances. Closer specific approach distances could be considered to reflect local conditions/situations/ licensing where changes to the recommended distances would not compromise the protection of the individuals/populations being watched.
Approaches of Mother and Calf pairs
The most appropriate method for approaching a whale or a dolphin is from the side and slightly to the rear of the animal. Avoid approaches from head on or directly from behind.
Caution Zone
The caution zone is the area within 100m - 300m from a whale and 50m – 300m from a dolphin.
No Approach Zone
These distances refer to active approaches by vessels moving towards cetaceans.
Dolphins and whales may sometimes approach vessels to closer distances. Closer specific approach distances could be considered to reflect local conditions/situations/ licensing where changes to the recommended distances would not compromise the protection of the individuals/populations being watched.
- For a vessel, the no approach zone is 100m from a whale and 50m from a dolphin including the area directly in front and behind a pod.
- Prohibited vessels should not enter the caution zone.
- If a vessel accidentally approaches cetaceans closer than the recommended distance, it must move away from the no-approach zone at slow speed.
- Helicopters or gyrocopters must not get closer (in height or distance) than 500 m to a whale or dolphin.
- Other planes must not get closer (in height or distance) than 300 m to a whale or dolphin.
Approaches of Mother and Calf pairs
- Pods of cetaceans containing calves are particularly vulnerable to disturbance and require additional protection. Exercise extreme caution with pods containing calves.
- Site-specific restrictions on length of encounter and distance of approach should be considered for pods with calves.
