Educating and recognizing responsible whale watching companies

Whale SENSE in the News!

• “Program Sets Whale Watch Standards” Cape Cod Times.  July 23, 2010.
• “Protecting Whales Focus of NOAA, Industry Program for Tour Boat Operators” NOAA Press Release. July 19, 2010.
• “NOAA, Partners Launch Effort for Tour Operators to Protect Whales” NOAA Press Release.  September 10, 2009.

Hotline Numbers

Please report whale problems or right whale sightings to the appropriate response network listed below:

• Live right whale sightings:  978-585-8473 (pager).
• Stranded, dead, entangled, or shipstruck marine mammals:   1-866-755-NOAA (6622) or radio the US Coast Guard on VHF 16.  If possible, please stand by an entangled whale until a response vessel arrives. If you must depart, please document your sighting with photos or video and report the time, location, and whale’s direction of travel when you left the scene.

Useful links

• NOAA’s Northeast Marine Mammal Viewing Guidelines & Regulations
• NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
• Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
• Whale Watch Naturalist Email Group Registration
• NOAA Marine Forecasts
• Right Whale Listening Network
• See a Spout, Watch Out!  Education for Recreational Whale Watchers
• Marine Mammal Protection Act
• Endangered Species Act
• Preventing Marine Debris