Marine Wildlife Guidelines

Apply to all whales, porpoises, dolphins, seals, sea lions, any animal hauled out and nesting birds.

  1. DO NOT APPROACH or position your vessel closer than 200 metres/yards to any killer whale in the U.S. DO NOT APPROACH or get closer than 100 metres/yards to any other marine mammals or birds, whether on the water or on land.
  4. SLOW DOWN: reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 400 metres/yards of the nearest marine mammal and reduce your engine’s noise and vessel’s wake.
  6. IF your vessel is not in compliance with the 100 metres/yards approach guideline (#1), place engine in neutral and allow animals to pass.
  8. STAY on the OFFSHORE side of the whales when traveling close to shore.

Killer whales have special protection in Canadian and U.S. waters. Be sure to educate yourself about new protections, including regulations with specific distances and recommendations for viewing killer whales.


Endangered Species Act
Marine Mammal Protection Act
Species At Risk Act


It is illegal to harm or disturb wildlife. To prevent disturbances from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV/drone) over the marine environment operators must use extreme caution. UAV/drones may cause a disturbance to the animal. Fly during daylight hours, keep your drone in sight and limit your viewing time to reduce the cumulative impact. This is a rapidly evolving technology… Know and follow all local regulations.

  2. ABIDE by posted restrictions or contact a local authority for further information.

The diversity and complexity of marine life in the coastal waters off British Columbia and Washington is truly extraordinary.

It is a fragile world. Pollution, global climate change and other impacts are taking their toll at all levels of the coastal food web. Many species of marine wildlife, such as the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, are showing signs of vulnerability.



The Whale Warning Flag was first introduced around Northern Vancouver Island by the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association (NIMMSA) as a means of addressing the growing number of negative interactions between vessels and humpback whales. By using the same flag design we are collectively promoting and strengthening a consistent message of Whale Wise boating behavior throughout the transboundary waters of the Salish Sea.

Whale Warning Flag

If You Have A Flag:

  1. When you encounter whales within 0.65 miles (1 km) of your vessel raise the flag.
  2. Slow down to 7 knots or less.
  3. Follow the regulations and Be Whale Wise Guidelines
  4. Turn off fish finders and/or depth sounders


If You See A Flag:

  1. Whales are within the vicinity of the boat or land station flying the flag.
  2. Slow down to 7 knots or less.
  3. Follow the regulations and Be Whale Wise Guidelines
  4. Turn off Fish Finders and/or depth sounders
  5. Observe the direction of travel of the whales and other vessels to determine the proper way to approach or depart the area

If you would like a flag for your vessel email, MRC@sanjuanco.com

To find out more visit, https://www.sjcmrc.org/other-content/whale-warning-flag/


You can also help whales, and other wildlife, by basic environmentally friendly practices, such as reducing your carbon footprint by driving less, taking public transport, or exploring alternative energy. You can also help by learning about your local ecosystem and watershed. Like do you know where your storm water goes? It might flow straight into Puget Sound, so you don’t want to pour hazardous things down the drain, such as soaps, oils, paint, and fertilizers. You can also learn about positive water management and rain gardens.

For more information visit, https://whalemuseum.org/pages/how-to-help-the-orcas