Whale and Dolphin Conservation: Monica Pepe Discusses the Coexistence of Whales and Boaters

On this podcast, PartsVu Xchange Talks Boating host Tonia Becker spoke with Monica Pepe from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC). Monica works on the WDC’s safe boating program as a policy manager. She works to protect whales and dolphins from the many threats they face through initiatives in outreach, policy, and science.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the critical mission of the WDC: protecting whales and dolphins. We’ll also chat about ways to keep recreational boaters and their boats safe as they travel in waters frequented by these majestic animals.

Collisions between marine mammals and any size boats can harm whales and dolphins. They can also result in injuries to people or damage to property. We dig deep into the mission of the WDC to better understand how boaters and sea life can coexist safely.

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Can you give us an overview of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation, the work the organization does, and the work you do personally?

Monica: The whale and dolphin conservation is the leading Global charity dedicated to the conservation of whales and dolphins.

We are international. We have offices in four different countries, and our North American office where I work is in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Each office focuses on slightly different issues and species.

At my office, we focus on issues pertaining to whale species in the Atlantic, but for example, I have a colleague that works out west in an office, and she heads up some of our conservation work in that region, specifically those efforts related to Southern resident orcas.

Most of what I’ll talk about today is focused on the Atlantic. We have species here that migrate from Canadian waters down to the Caribbean.

We focus on three main issues that affect these animals: outreach, policy, and science. Our aim is to connect those three elements by using science and data to support our outreach efforts or policy work.

Our policy work is designed to increase protection for whales and dolphins, and the purpose of our outreach is to use a broad spectrum of programs to communicate and educate the broader public.

I focus my efforts primarily on safe boating programs that we implement out of our North American office. We work with boaters to improve safety practices between various segments of the boating community ranging from recreational boaters to commercial entities.

What are the primary species in the Atlantic that you focus on?

Monica: Our main focus is the North Atlantic right whale. They are a critically endangered species whose current population is less than three hundred fifty animals. In the late nineties, they were starting to spike in terms of population growth. However, that growth started to trend downward soon after that. Even though they are our primary focus, our efforts have a trickle-down effect on other species, such as humpback whales.

What kinds of problems exist concerning recreational boaters and whales?

Monica: Most problems arise when whales and boaters use the same water. Whales are cosmopolitan, are found worldwide in all oceans, and can even be found in some rivers and gulfs. Whales and boats are not intentionally seeking each other out, so we see it as a knowledge gap in many cases and not necessarily the fault of either whales or boaters.

My purpose today is to get the word out to as many people as possible. Boaters and whales are two competing interests. Boats are becoming faster, and whales remain stealthy, not needing to surface for air too frequently. My goal is to raise awareness for boaters to pay attention to signals that whales may be in the area so both whales and boaters stay safe.

Whales surface for air without much notice, so hypervigilance is definitely in order. However, boaters don’t always have much time to react. That can be dangerous, especially with larger whales that can grow to be in excess of fifty feet long, which is bigger than most boats. So any impact between a whale and a fast-moving boat can be devastating.

What are some of the laws that boaters should be aware of regarding sea life?

Monica: A combination of laws and guidelines aims to keep everyone safe. NOAA Fisheries creates voluntary regional guidelines for whale watching. However, even if you’re not whale watching, following their guidance will help you to navigate safely around whales.

Staying at least one hundred feet from a whale is the main guideline for optimal safety. Maintaining a safe distance gives you plenty of time to react while providing the whale ample opportunities to change course.

The Atlantic right whale is critically endangered, so there are specific applicable federal regulations associated with that species. The law stipulates that you must not get within fifteen hundred feet of a right whale by air or boat, including drones. In addition, some seasonal restrictions limit boat speed to ten knots in certain calving and feeding areas in relation to boats over sixty-five feet long.

NOAA Fisheries data shows that slowing speeds to ten knots reduces the chances of a collision causing a whale fatality by up to eighty or ninety percent.

Are there particular times of the year when boaters need to be more mindful of areas where there is an increased risk of whale encounters?

Monica: In general, the answer is yes. Whales typically migrate from Northern high-latitude waters in the summer to Southern waters in the winter. When they’re in Northern waters, they often feed in preparation for a Southern migration, where they breed and birth calves.

However, whales are animals and don’t necessarily follow preset migration patterns all of the time.

What are some of the signs that indicate that whales are in the area?

Monica: It boils down to the four “B’s,” as we call them. We suggest everyone pay attention to the following four B’s when on the water. The first B is for blows that occur when whales exhale. The second B refers to the backs of whales that can often be seen while they are resting.

The third and fourth B’s go hand in hand. Bubbles and birds are present when whales are feeding. The coast of New England and the Mid-Atlantic are important feeding grounds where you might observe these two B’s. Birds are typically present because they take advantage of easy meals as a product of bait fish escaping from whales’ mouths. Finally, whales use bubbles to make a circular pattern that corrals bait fish into a smaller area for easier feeding.

What should recreational boaters do if they spot a whale?

Monica: First, I would recommend slowing down as much as possible to assess the situation. Next, I would try to determine the whale’s direction of travel to adjust accordingly.

If you’re interested in observing the whale, keep your distance. The best way to watch whales safely is to run parallel to the whale’s course. Running parallel to the whale accomplishes two things. First, it helps to ensure that the whale does not alter its natural behavior by changing course. Second, it is one of the best ways to avoid a collision.

I also highly recommend that you use your VHF radio to communicate with other boaters close by so you can inform others of the presence of the whale.

What’s the best way to deal with an unexpected encounter with a right whale where you are too close and need to create distance quickly for safety?

Monica: I would suggest slowing down to assess the whale’s course of direction first. I would not make any immediate or hasty decisions that may trigger a reaction by the whale. Instead, as much as time permits, I would recommend starting to make your way away from the whale slowly and methodically.

I would also suggest that you make a note in your log boat about the situation in case someone else on the water reports the incident. That way, you have solid records to support your actions and prove that you followed guidelines.

What should a boater do if they encounter a whale entangled in a fishing net or in another state of distress?

Monica: The best thing a boater can do in that situation is to contact the regional hotline to report the sightings. The hotlines are monitored twenty-four hours a day and are set up to connect you with trained regional responders.

Distress situations can be dangerous, so getting the right help is imperative. The number for anyone between Maine and Virginia is 1-866-755-6622. If you’re between North Carolina and Florida, the number is 1-877-WHALE-HELP. If you’re outside those areas, I recommend jumping online and googling mammal in distress for a hotline number in your area.

It’s essential to keep a safe distance while you wait for help or guidance.

Do you think contacting the Coast Guard is also a viable option?

Monica: Yes. Also, if you’re out of cell phone range, you can contact the Coast Guard using channel sixteen.

It’s of utmost importance to wait on the experts to resolve the situation. Again, distressed animals react in unpredictable ways, making the situation dangerous for humans and animals.

How would whale extinction or a dwindling whale population affect other species?

Monica: Everything in the ocean is interrelated.

We refer to whales as ecosystem engineers. They play a critical role in fertilizing the ocean’s microscopic plants called phytoplankton which form the basis of the ocean’s food chain.

Like plants on land, phytoplankton need nutrients and sunlight to survive. Therefore, they are going to find the sunlight closest to the surface. Whales, thankfully, take their bathroom breaks near the surface, and when they do that, they release nutrients. The result is a setting that is a productive environment for phytoplankton.

Phytoplankton is also responsible for providing about fifty percent of the oxygen we breathe. So, there is a huge benefit to the human population as well.

What are some final takeaways and tips for protecting whales and dolphins that you can leave us with, especially regarding recreational boaters?

Monica: First, I would suggest doing some research to find out what whales have been seen in your area. Downloading the whale alert app is also a great idea. The app will inform you of recent sightings and let you know if you are in a seasonal management area.

We’re also working on an online self-guided course on seeaspout.org that discusses everything we’ve discussed today.

We also want to encourage people to discuss any positive interactions with whales with friends, neighbors, relatives, other boaters, and anyone else that you come in contact with. Shared experiences can be a great way to educate and inform the community.

Finally, we would love to hear from anyone willing to share ideas on how we can better reach the recreational boating community. If you have any suggestions, please email us at contact@whales.org or reach out to us on our social media pages. To learn more about the WDC’s whale and dolphin conservation efforts, check out their website at uswhales.org. There is a wealth of information on the site, including educational pieces and ideas on how you can contribute to their cause.