Whales are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, so stay at least 100 yards away from whales - the length of a football field. In Puget Sound, stay 200 yards away from any killer whale.
Whales are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act from acts of harassment. To avoid harassing a marine mammal, stay at least 100 yards—the length of a football field—away from whales. In Puget Sound, stay 200 yards away from any killer whale.
Admiring whales from a distance is the safest and most responsible way to view them in their natural habitat. They are wild, unpredictable animals that can move surprisingly fast. Approaching them too closely endangers you and the whales, and may violate federal law.
If you see a whale, follow these responsible viewing guidelines:
Slow down and operate at a no-wake speed.
Stay out of the path of the whale’s direction of travel. Specifically in Puget Sound, stay out of the path of killer whales by 400 yards—i.e., about four football fields.
Do not put your vessel between whales, especially mothers and calves.
Do not chase or harass them, and do not approach the animals head-on, from directly behind them, or from the side (t-bone). Instead, gradually steer your vessel to be parallel to the animals from the side and stay at least 100 yards away—i.e., the length of a football field.
To report a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal in Washington, Oregon, or California:
To report entangled marine mammals:
To report harassments and other violations to law enforcement:
NOAA Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-853-1964
To report derelict gear:
Derelict Gear Hotline: 1-855-542-3935
Central Valley salmon fisherman and Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association Vice President, Scott Hambelton, casts from his boat on the American River. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
North Pacific right whale. Credit: Brenda K. Rone
