Whale watching operators hope new regulations end harassment of whales

Whale watching operators in New Brunswick arewelcoming newregulations laid out by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, saying they've been abiding by similar guidelines recommended by the department for years.

The new enforceable regulations announced Wednesdaywill require boaters to maintain a 100-metre buffer zone in Atlantic Canada. Infractions could result inpenalties of up to $100,000.

David Welch, boat captain with Fundy Tide Runners Whale Watching and Nature Tourism in St. Andrews, said any reputable company already stops a respectabledistance away.

"It would be foolhardy for us to scare away our bread and butter, so to speak, with harassment," he said.

"I hate to paint the public with a broad brush, but generally the pleasure boaters are less aware of the regulations than the tour boat operators are."

LisaEldridge, owner-operator ofQuoddyLink Marine, agreed.

"It's something we are very conscious of."

"We're actually quite happy that this is happening because there have been issues with private boaters and other whale watching companies as well."

Both companies signed a code of ethics, offered to all Bay Of Fundy marine tour operators, and display it in their offices and online to ensure clients know what to expect from a whale watching tour.

Welch added that stopping the boat 100 m away doesn't mean guests on board won't get a close encounter with a whale. If the whale approaches a boat, he said, that's up to the whale.

"There are tricks to the trade as far as positioning yourself."

DFO said any boater is expected to stay away from a whale, dolphin or porpoisewhileremaining as safe as possible.

Eldridge said depending on the time of year, whale watchers might see minke, fin, humpback, and if they're extremelylucky right whales.

She addedthat porpoises, seals and even great white sharks also turn up.

DFOsaidmore fisheries officers will be on the water and in the airto enforce the new regulations.

Elderidgesaid he considers the new rules and increased enforcement as a positive move.

"We hope they aregoingto go through with actually being out there, not just regulate it and leave it."