RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY OF WHALE WATCHING
Rules on protection and conduct must be observed at all times as defined under Spanish Royal Decree 1727/2007, of 21 December, establishing measures to protect cetaceans (Articles 4, 5 and annexes). In addition, companies engaging in this activity must be authorised by Spain's Ministry of the Environment (Article 3.4 Law 41/2010, 29 December).
Mobile cetacean-protection zone
Prohibitions
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◉ Swimming or diving with cetaceans.
◉ Making any type of physical contact with cetaceans.
◉ Feeding cetaceans, discarding rubbish overboard or any other type of dumping.
◉ Disturbing, restricting the free movement or blocking the path of cetaceans. Crossing through or scattering a group of cetaceans and, particularly, getting between an adult and its calf.
◉ Making noise or creating loud or shrill sounds to attract or repel cetaceans, including the underwater transmission of sound.
◉ Reversing or circling.
◉ Passing overhead with aircraft at altitudes of less than 500 meters.
Good practices
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◉ Approach in a manner that will smoothly converge with the cetaceans' path. Always approach them from behind or from the side at an angle of approximately 30 degrees. Never approach them head on.
◉ Sail at a constant speed of less than four knots.
◉ Avoid abrupt changes in course or speed.
◉ If cetaceans appear at a distance of less than 60 meters from the vessel: • if they are dolphins or porpoises, continue sailing without changing the speed or the course. • if they are other kinds of cetaceans, put the motor in neutral or disengage it, letting it idle or turning it off.
◉ If you find a dead or injured animal, call
Passengers are asked to: submit any suggestions to the Sub-Directorate
General for Land and Marine Biodiversity at:abzn-biomarina@miteco.es
Whale Watching Activity for Tourist Purposes
Our company is authorised by the Canary Islands Government's Department of Tourism to carry out the recreational activity of whale watching for tourism purposes, in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 1727/2007 and other current regulations.
We are registered under number CT-38-4-0000058 in the General Tourism Register as a company authorised to carry out this activity.
Our vessel is duly identified with the official yellow flag bearing the ‘Barco Azul / Blue Boat’ logo, a distinctive symbol certifying authorisation for responsible and sustainable whale watching in the waters of the Canary Islands archipelago.
