You can help the humpback whale
If you find a stranded whale:
Boating/Approaching
When boating in the vicinity of whales, common sense rules apply and regulations exist so as disturbance and danger are minimised. General rules are outlined below:
- If a whale approaches your boat, slow down and stop
- Ensure that you travel no faster than idle or 'no wake' speed within 300 metres of any marine mammal
- Approach whales from behind and to the side
- Manoeuvre your boat sensitively near whales. Do not obstruct their path, cut through a group or separate mothers from calves
- Keep at least 50 metres from whales (or 200 metres from any large whale mother and calf or calves)
- No more than 3 vessels within 200m of whales
- Swimming with whales is not permitted
- Avoid sudden noises that could startle the animals
- Co-operate with others so all may see the whales without putting them at risk
Aircraft should also maintain a safe horizontal distance of at least 150 metres from whales and should avoid flying or imposing a shadow directly over a marine mammal either at sea or on shore.
Keep their environment clean by carefully disposing of any rubbish in appropriate receptacle, plastic waste can be particularly hazardous when discarded near waterways or beaches.
If you see set nets being used within closed areas then contact the Ministry of Fisheries on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 4 76224).
If you accidentally catch or harm a whale you have a legal obligation to report it as soon as possible, but within 48 hours, to DOC or MFish.
Ex-whalers looking for whales as
part of a survey
Reporting sightings
Sightings of whales can be reported to the 0800 DOC HOTline (0800 362 468). These are always of interest and help increase our knowledge of whale distribution and movements around New Zealand.
Useful information includes species/description, location, number of individuals, estimated sizes, what they appeared to be doing and the direction in which they were headed.
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Contacts
To report whale or dolphin sightings or strandings phone the DOC HOTline 24 hour emergency number:
0800 DOC HOTline (0800 362 468)