Who are the boaters on The Salish Sea?​

A boater is anyone in any watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water. This includes powered and unpowered vessels such as kayaks and stand up paddle boards and motorized vessels. The below guidelines are state policies are for all watercraft.

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• Keep the Kelp!

  • ​Staying ~100 feet/33 yards from kelp beds will help to ensure that props don’t get tangled in kelp and that you don’t accidentally chop these critical underwater forest ecosystems. 

    • Keep an eye under the water to avoid kelp strands that might not be mature enough to float visibly on the surface

• Protect the Puffins! (and other seabirds)

  • Our goal with viewing Puffins (and other seabirds) is to not cause a change in their behavior which could look like swimming away, diving under the water as we approach, or flying away.

  • When on scene with Puffins, try to stay at least 100 yards from individuals.

  • Slowing your approach before 100 yards so as to not spook wildlife tends to result in a better viewing experience.

• Benefit our Bait Balls!

  • The goal with viewing bait balls is to not cause a change in the critical foraging behavior of the organisms present. Change in behavior could look like all birds taking flight or swimming away at our approach.

  • Try to not drift on top of bait balls due to current or wind as foraging animals usually disperse if the fish are under the boat.

  • It is always possible that there are sneaky cetaceans present at bait balls that we don’t want to encroach on.

• Follow National Wildlife Refuge Regulations (NWR):

  • Federal regulations state that all watercraft must stay 200 yards or more away from all National Wildlife Refuge coastlines.​

    • Here's a map of all marine protected areas in Washington State

  • Slowing speeds when approaching NWRs, and maintaining slow speeds while viewing wildlife, will decrease odds of flushing seals and sea lions hauled out.

• Follow all State and Federal Whale Watching Regulations:

  • Cetacean Regulations:

    • 100 yards from baleen whales like Humpback, Gray and Minke

    • 200 yards from  Bigg’s killer whales

    • 1000 yards from Southern Resident Killer Whales 

  • When approaching or departing cetaceans, slow speeds to 7 knots or less from ½ mile away. Maintain 7 knots or less while on scene. 

  • Parallel view whales, maintaining the designated distance buffer for each species

  • If whales are traveling closer to shore, stay offshore of the group

• Follow Marine Mammal Protection Act Regulations:

  • Stay 50 yards from all pinnipeds like Harbor Seals, Sea Lions, and Elephant Seals

  • It is considered harassment to influence a change in their behavior like flushing them off of rocks or navigational cans

• Ensure Engine Efficiency!
  • Maximize fuel efficiency on your boat by managing your speed, choosing your route thoughtfully, and keeping your hull clean!

    • Keep engines tuned and inner workings maintained!