Environmental Stewardship for Paddlers Series – Wildlife Interaction

Wildlife encounters are truly magical and what make our paddling experiences extra special and memorable. However, we risk disturbing and interrupting the natural behaviours of the very wildlife we love, or worse harming them. As responsible paddlers, adopt the marine mammal and seabird viewing guidance that is upheld by Canadian federal laws.

Maintain your distance:

• 400m from all Orcas (killer whales) in BC located south of line drawn between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet
• 200m from all Orcas in BC (with above noted exception)
• 200m from all whales, dolphins and porpoises when resting or with a calf (with above noted exception)
• 100m from other marine mammals (seals, sea lions, whales, dolphins and porpoises) and bird colonies

Observe respectfully:

• Don’t feed, touch, swim, dive or interact with them
• Don’t approach when they are resting
• Don’t encircle or approach head on or from behind, instead view parallel to them
• Don’t separate individuals from a group

Know when the sensitive breeding, nesting and pupping seasons are and employ extra caution around haul-outs and colonies during these times to prevent trampling or separation of pups and chicks from their mothers:

• Harbour seal pupping season – typically May to September
• Seabird/waterbird breeding and nesting season – typically March to September

For more information visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s “Watching Marine Wildlife” and Environment and Climate Change Canada’s “Guidelines to Avoid Disturbance to Seabird and Waterbird Colonies in Canada”.

A ‘public service announcement’ from a local harbour seal pup!

‘I know I am cute, irresistible and your normal response might be to help me when I am on my own, but please don’t touch or pick me up, or encourage me to get on your paddle board. 

My mommy is often away for a short while to feed so she can continue to nurse me.

It’s best if you and others (including your four-legged friends) stay back.

If you are concerned about me, call the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre (MMRC) at the Vancouver Aquarium to tell them about me: 604-258-SEAL

They may want you to tell them about my condition and behaviour and take some photos of me from a safe distance.

They will tell you if you need to help me and how to do so safely.

Check out the wonderful rescue and rehabilitation work MMRC does: https://www.vanaqua.org/marine-mammal-rescue

Did you know May-September is pupping season?

Tell your paddling friends to keep their distance (100 m) especially when we are hauled out otherwise we scramble into the water and I might get trampled or separated from my mom.

Thank you for helping me and all my seal and ocean friends!’