and swimming around - Dolphin Research Institute...riding the bow of a boat, a whale leaping out of...

A guide to boating and swimming around whales, dolphins and seals

One of the great pleasures of Victoria’s coast line is the opportunity to see whales, dolphins and seals.

From Nelson to Mallacoota, there’s a good chance to see a dolphin riding the bow of a boat, a whale leaping out of the water or a seal lazing on a beach.

The Wildlife (Marine Mammal) Regulations 2009 are a set of laws to protect seals, dolphins and whales in Victoria. This brochure shows the distances to be kept from marine mammals to ensure your safety and minimise our impact on these special animals.

Keep your distanceWatch whales, dolphins and seals responsibly and admire them from a distance. Use binoculars or a camera lens to get a closer look.

When boatingDon’t get too close. It’s OK for whales, dolphins and seals to approach you, but don’t approach them closer than the permitted distances. Wherever possible, leave encounters to chance and at the animal’s choice (see Figure 1).

If a whale, dolphin or seal takes an interest in you, slow down, don’t change course or speed suddenly and take care to avoid collisions. If there is a need to stop, reduce speed gradually.

Okay if the animal approaches vessel

* Unless for safe passage

*

On land

Unless a breeding colony (see Protection Zones)

Deviating towards the animals is not allowed

30m

Figure 1: Boating around marine animals

No go zoneFor whales and dolphins:

In the ‘no go zone’ (shown as a black circle in Figures 2 and 3) recreational boats must not approach within:

• 100 metres of a dolphin or • 200 metres of a whale

Jet skis are not permitted within 300 metres of any whale or dolphin as they have a bigger impact upon these animals.

For seals:

• For seals in water, there are no distance restrictions, however vessels must abide by the ‘caution’ and ‘no approach’ zone (see Figure 4)

• For seals on land, you must keep at least 30 metres away, whether you are in the water or also on land (see Figure 5)

• For seals on a boat ramp or other man-made structures (in water or on land), you must keep at least 5 metres away (see Figure 6)

• Restrictions apply to approaching seal breeding colonies (see Protection Zones overleaf).

These restrictions are for your own safety. The only exceptions to this are where you need to move past a seal for safety reasons, to land and retrieve your boat, or to navigate along recognised channels.

No approach zoneThe “no approach zone” (shown in red in Figures 2, 3 and 4) is the area directly in front of and behind whales, dolphins or seals. If you see a whale, dolphin or seal while boating, you must not knowingly approach the animal from these directions. It is also illegal to deliberately position your boat in the path of a whale, dolphin or seal.

Caution zoneThe “caution zone” (shown in orange in Figures 2, 3 and 4) is the area within 300 metres either side of a whale, 150 metres either side of a dolphin and 50 metres either side of a seal. When boating in this zone, you must:

• avoid sudden changes in speed or direction

• maintain a constant speed not exceeding 5 knots (8 kph)

• leave the zone if a whale, dolphin or seal shows any sign of disturbance

• not separate any individual whale, dolphin or seal from its group

• not come between a mother and her young.

Reporting infringementsUnder the Wildlife Act 1975, people who undertake illegal interactions with whales, dolphins and seals can be fined up to $6,000 or face 6 months imprisonment. Illegal interactions can be reported to the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186. If in doubt, report it! You can remain anonymous if you wish.

200m

Vessel Caution Zone(reduce speed to 5 knots)

300m

300m 300m

200m


200m

No approachor waiting

in front


150m

100m



in front

No approachfrom behind


200m 100m

30°30°

Figure 2: Whale approach distances

200mVessel Caution Zone

(reduce speed to 5 knots)

300m

300m 150m

200m


200m


in front


150m

100m



in front



200m 100m

30°30°

Figure 3: Dolphin approach distances


50m

50m



in front

No approaching head on

* unless for safe passage

No hovering or flying over

NO FLY ZONE

300 metres(1000 feet)

NO FLY ZONE

300 metres(1000 feet)30

0 m

etre

s(1

000

feet

) 300

met

res

(100

0 fe

et)

5m

5m*


30°

Figure 4: Seal approach distances on water

Figure 5: Seal on land approach distances

Seal on land = 30mSeal on land = 30m

30m 30m

On Land

In narrow waterwaysIn waterways less than 300 metres wide, keep at least 30 metres away from dolphins and whales. The only exception to this is where you need to pass closer for safety reasons (see Figures 7 and 8).

Figure 7: Approaching a whale in a narrow waterway

200m


in front



200m

200m

100m

300m


Withdraw to 200m if calf present

300m

100m 200m


in front



100m

100m

50m

150m



150m

200m


300m

30m*

50m


* Unless necessary for safe passage

Must exit cautionzone asap




200m


in front


150m

30m*




in front



30°

30°30°

30°

e.g. Chinaman’s Hat

e.g. Boat ramp or pier

Figure 6: Seal on man-made structures


50m

50m



in front

No approaching head on

* unless for safe passage

No hovering or flying over

NO FLY ZONE

300 metres(1000 feet)

NO FLY ZONE

300 metres(1000 feet)30

0 m

etre

s(1

000

feet

) 300

met

res

(100

0 fe

et)

5m

5m*


30°

Figure 8: Approaching a dolphin in a narrow waterway

200m


in front



200m

200m

100m

300m



300m

100m 200m


in front



100m

100m

50m

150m



150m

200m


300m

30m*

50m







200m


in front


150m

30m*




in front



30°

30°30°

30°

When swimming or surfingIt’s important to remember whales, dolphins and seals are large animals and may see you as a threat. There have been numerous cases where humans have been bitten by seals, knocked over by dolphins, or hurt or killed trying to swim with large whales.

To protect you and the animals, you must not swim or surf any closer than 30 metres of a dolphin (see Figure 9) or 50 metres of a whale (see Figure 10).

There are no restrictions on how close you can swim or surf near a seal in the water, but you should be careful as seals can bite or knock you over.

Figure 10: Whale approach distances

30m30m

Swimmer Dolphin Surfer

Swimmer Whale Surfer

50m50m

30m30m

Swimmer Dolphin Surfer

Swimmer Whale Surfer

50m50m

Figure 9: Dolphin approach distances

Protection zonesThere are a number of important areas in Victoria where whales, dolphins and seals gather, breed and feed. Marine mammals are given special protection in these areas to minimise disturbance.

MelbourneThe Skerries

Lakes Entrance

Rag Island

Kanowna Island

TraralgonTiconderoga

Seal Rocks

Lady Julia Percy Island

Warrnambool

Logans Beach

Cape Bridgewater

Hands offRemember that whales, dolphins and seals are wild animals and not pets. They generally don’t like being touched and can bite, scratch or slap you with their fins. Numerous bites have been reported by people trying to pat or grab onto these animals. It’s not good for the animal and nearly any wild animal, no matter how timid or small, is capable of inflicting injury.

Don’t feed wild animalsNever attempt to feed wildlife. Wild animals rarely (if ever) need to be fed by humans. Some animals can become dependant on handouts or aggressive when they don’t get what they expect. They can also get sick from eating inappropriate food or injure themselves if they swim too close to boats.

Feeding fish scraps to seals and dolphins can result in people getting bitten. In some cases, habituated animals may have to be euthanised if they continually approach people for food.

Wild animals are hunters and don’t need people to survive.

Responsible pet ownership Wildlife and pets don’t mix. Keep pets on a leash or leave them at home. Both pets and wild animals can be injured in unexpected encounters.

When walking your dog, stay at least 50 metres away from seals. This will reduce stress for the seal and the chance of your dog getting bitten. Dogs can transfer diseases to seals and vice versa.

If you are in a boat, you must not let your dog enter the water within 150 metres of a dolphin, 300 metres of a whale or 50 metres of a seal.

Let wildlife be wildLimit the time you spend watching whales, dolphins and seals. Encounters with people can be stressful for animals and alter their behaviour. Fifteen minutes is usually reasonable. Chances are you are not the only person to approach the animal that day.

Remember the sea and surrounds are their home; you are visiting, so keep your distance and avoid disturbing them.

Choosing a tour operatorLicensed tour operators are permitted to approach whales, dolphins and seals closer than the distances detailed above, subject to a range of strict operating conditions.

For more information on the rules relevant to tour operators, please visit the DSE website at: www.dse.vic.gov.au

Reporting injured or distressed marine mammals Stranded, entangled, sick or injured whales or dolphins should be reported to the Whale and Dolphin Emergency Hotline on 1300 136 017. Do not report seal or penguin issues to this number.

Stranded, entangled, sick or injured seals or penguins should be reported to the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

... continued

MelbourneThe Skerries

Lakes Entrance

Rag Island

Kanowna Island

TraralgonTiconderoga

Seal Rocks


Warrnambool

Logans Beach

Cape Bridgewater

Cape Bridgewater, near Portland

• Boats not permitted within 100 metres of a seal during breeding season (1 November to end of February).

• Outside breeding season, boats not permitted closer than 50 metres of a seal.

• Jet skis not permitted within 300 metres.

SOUTHERN OCEAN

Bridgewater Bay

Great

SouthW

est

Walk

Gr eatSouth

WestWalk

Low Water Mark

Low Water Mark

50 metre bufferfrom Low Water Mark

141°25'0"E

141°25'0"E

141°24'30"E

141°24'30"E

141°24'0"E

141°24'0"E

38°2

3'30

"S

38°2

3'30

"S

38°2

4'0"

S 38°2

4'0"

S

Seal Breeding colony

Cape Bridgewater Seal Breeding ColonyLEGL./09-306

Ocean or waterbody

Discovery BayCoastal Park

MetersProjection : Vicgrid 94

Latitude and Longitude values are based on GDA 94

0 160 320 480 640

CapeBridgewater

Portland

Cashmore

N

38° 23' 46.2" S141° 24' 31" E

38° 23' 45.1" S141° 24' 48.4" E

38° 23' 44.5" S141° 24' 31" E

Cape Bridgewater

Cape Bridgewater

Lakes Entrance

TraralgonWarrnambool

Melbourne

Lady Julia Percy Island, near Port Fairy




Portland Bay

Low

Water

Mark

Low

Water

Mark


142°1'0"E

142°1'0"E

142°0'30"E

142°0'30"E

142°0'0"E

142°0'0"E

141°59'30"E

141°59'30"E

38°2

4'30

"S

38°2

4'30

"S

38°2

5'0"

S

38°2

5'0"

S

38°2

5'30

"S

38°2

5'30

"S

Lady Julia Percy Island Seal Breeding ColonyLEGL./09-240

0 150 300 450 600


Exclusion zone

Ocean or waterbody N

PortlandPort Fairy

Macarthur

Tyrendarra

Heywood



Lakes Entrance


Melbourne

Logan’s Beach Exclusion Zone, near Warrnambool

• All boating activity (including jet skis) prohibited in Logan’s Beach Exclusion Zone from 1 June to 31 October each year.

Lady Bay

SOUTHERN OCEAN

Hopkins River

LowWater

Mark

Point Ritchie

Gaul's Cave

Hopkins Point

Rd

Abe

rline

Rd

Too r

am R

d

Drylakes Rd

Hop

kins

Rd

Sta

fford

s R

d

Flaxman

St

Princes Hwy

Raglan Pde

Mor

tlake

Rd

Jubi

lee

Par

k R

d

Princes Hwy

Raglan Pde

Bany

an S

t

142°35'0"E

142°35'0"E

142°34'0"E

142°34'0"E

142°33'0"E

142°33'0"E

142°32'0"E

142°32'0"E

142°31'0"E

142°31'0"E

142°30'0"E

142°30'0"E

142°29'0"E

142°29'0"E

38°2

2'0"

S38

°23'

0"S

38°2

3'0"

S

38°2

4'0"

S

38°2

4'0"

S

38°2

5'0"

S

38°2

5'0"

S

38°2

6'0"

S

38°2

6'0"

S38

°27'

0"S

Logans Beach Exclusion ZoneLEGL./09-035

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000



Exclusion zone

Ocean or waterbody N

Woolsthorpe

WarrnamboolPort Fairy

Peterborough

Koroit

38° 24' 9" S142° 30' 29.6" E

2438° ' 45.1" S142° 30' 22.9" E

38° 25' 1.4" S142° 33' 6.5" E

38° 25' 49.9" S142° 32' 32.5" E

Logan’s Beach

Logans Beach

Lakes Entrance


Melbourne

Ticonderoga Bay Sanctuary Zone, Port Phillip Bay

• Boats must not approach within 200 metres of a whale or dolphin.

• Jet skis not permitted within 300 metres of a whale or dolphin.

• Boats can enter the area, but if a whale or dolphin is present, keep your distance.

• Boats must not exceed 5 knots within 200 metres of shore.

BASS STRAIT

Port Phillip

250

metrebuffer

fromLow

Water

MarkLow

Water

Mark

Police Point

Nepean Rock

London Bridge Rd

Hotham Rd

Point Nepean Rd

Defence

Rd

Bac

k B

each

Rd

144°43'30"E

144°43'30"E

144°43'0"E

144°43'0"E

144°42'30"E

144°42'30"E

144°42'0"E

144°42'0"E

144°41'30"E

144°41'30"E

144°41'0"E

144°41'0"E

144°40'30"E

144°40'30"E

144°40'0"E

144°40'0"E

144°39'30"E

144°39'30"E

144°39'0"E

144°39'0"E

144°38'30"E

144°38'30"E

144°38'0"E

144°38'0"E

38°1

7'0"

S38

°17'

30"S

38°1

7'30

"S

38°1

8'0"

S

38°1

8'0"

S

38°1

8'30

"S

38°1

8'30

"S

38°1

9'0"

S

38°1

9'0"

S

38°1

9'30

"S

38°1

9'30

"S

38°2

0'0"

S

38°2

0'0"

S

38°2

0'30

"S

38°2

0'30

"S

Ticonderoga Bay Sanctuary ZoneLEGL./09-236

Sanctuary Zone

Ocean or waterbody

Port Philip HeadsMarine National Park

0 0.5 1 1.5 2

KilometersProjection : Vicgrid 94


N

NPortsea

Portarlington

Barwon Heads

Rye

Queenscliff

Geelong

Dromana

38° 18' 56.6" S144° 42' 19.6" E

38° 18' 46.8" S144° 42' 19.6" E

38° 17' 56.9" S144° 38' 54.8" E

38° 18' 5" S144° 38' 54.8" E

38° 18' 7.5" S144° 39' 5.2" E

Ticonderoga Bay

Ticonderoga

Lakes Entrance


Melbourne

Seal Rocks, Phillip Island

• Boats not permitted within 30 metres of a seal.


Seal Rocks Seal Breeding ColonyLEGL./09-237

0 125 250 375 500Seal Breeding colony

Ocean or waterbodyMetersProjection : Vicgrid 94

BASS STRAIT

Low Water Mark

Low Water Mark

The Nobbies

Seal Rocks

Black Rock

145°6'30"E

145°6'30"E

145°6'0"E

145°6'0"E

145°5'30"E

145°5'30"E

38°3

1'30

"S

38°3

1'30

"S

38°3

2'0"

S

38°3

2'0"

S

N

Cowes

Hastings

San Remo

Flinders Bass

Stony Point

Seal Rocks

Seal Rocks

Lakes Entrance


Melbourne

Kanowna Island, Wilson’s Promontory

• Boats not permitted within 200 metres of Kanowna Island between November and January or within 50 metres between February and October.

Under the provisions of the National Parks Act 1975 all classes of vessels, other than those operating under a Licensed Tour Operator Permit, are prohibited to approach within 200 metres of Kanowna Island between November and January or within 50 metres between February and October.

AndersonIslets

ANWONAKDNALSI

rof tatibah tnacifingis()slaes ruF nailartsuA

Kanowna Island

N

3000 600

MetresG/7100.2

NB: Special Protection Area Overlay also includes access to exposedintertidal areas on all islands within the planning area, except thebeach areas on Great Glennie and Rabbit Islands (section 6.2).

Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park

No vessels within 200 metres of Kanowna Islandduring November to January (inclusive)

No vessels within 50 metres of Kanowna Islandduring February to October (inclusive)

Ocean / Coastline

Kanowna Island

Kanowna Island

Lakes Entrance


Melbourne

Rag Island, Cliffy Group east of Wilson’s Promontory




BASS STRAIT

L ow

WaterMark

approx 1.2 km to Cliffy Island

LowWat

er Mark

Rag Island

146°41'0"E

146°41'0"E

146°40'30"E

146°40'30"E

38°5

7'0"

S

38°5

7'0"

S

38°5

7'30

"S

38°5

7'30

"S

Rag Island Seal Breeding ColonyLEGL./09-241

0 100 200 300 400



N

Woodside

Port Albert

Tidal River

Foster

Mirboo

Yanakie

Rag Island

Rag Island

Lakes Entrance


Melbourne

The Skerries, Croajingalong National Park

• Boats not permitted within 100 metres of a seal during the breeding season (1 November to end of February).



EASBY WA

LKI NGTRACK

EAS

TW

ING

AN

TK

Wingan Inlet

TASMAN SEA

CROAJINGOLONG NATIONAL PARK

Low Water Mark

Low Water Mark

Low Water Mark

The Skerries

The Skerries

149°31'30"E

149°31'30"E

149°31'0"E

149°31'0"E

149°30'30"E

149°30'30"E

149°30'0"E

149°30'0"E

37°4

4'30

"S

37°4

4'30

"S

37°4

5'0"

S

37°4

5'0"

S

37°4

5'30

"S

37°4

5'30

"S

The Skerries Seal Breeding ColonyLEGL./09-239



0 150 300 450 600

N

Bemm River

MallacootaCann River

The Skerries

The Skerries

Lakes Entrance


Melbourne

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and EnvironmentMelbourne, March 2011© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2011This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East MelbournePrinted by Stream SolutionsPrinted on recycled paperISBN 978-1-74242-999-1 (print) ISBN 978-1-74242-000-7 (online) For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186

DisclaimerThis publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

PhotographyImages provided by John Gibbens and Darren Jew

This document is also available in PDF format on the Internet at www.dse.vic.gov.au

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and swimming around - Dolphin Research Institute...riding the bow of a boat, a whale leaping out of...

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