About

Whale SENSE is a voluntary education and recognition program offered to commercial whale watching companies in the U.S. Atlantic and Alaska Regions. Developed in collaboration with the whale watching industry, Whale SENSE recognizes whale watching companies committed to responsible practices and program criteria outlined in the SENSE acronym.

Whale SENSE participating companies:

S – Stick to the whale watching guidelines

• In addition to following regional whale watching regulations, companies commit when watching whales to arrive and depart the area slowly, use caution when watching mothers and their calves or feeding groups, and more.

E – Educate passengers and crew

• Captains and naturalists complete annual training and are evaluated on program educational criteria.

N – Notify officials of whales in distress

• Operators are trained in reporting stranded or injured marine animals to local stranding response professionals.

S – Set an example for other boaters

• Companies ensure advertising follows responsible viewing practices.
• Companies feature Whale SENSE logo with current calendar year on website and vessels

E – Encourage ocean stewardship

• All participating companies complete annual ocean stewardship.

See current year Whale SENSE participants here.

Program Sponsors 

The program is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation. In the Atlantic region, the program is also sponsored by the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. 

---

Whale SENSE in the Press