Whales are not ready for their close up

Responsible marine mammal viewing initiative launches for the Vancouver Island Region

June 18, 2024, Snuneymuxw Territory (Nanaimo, BC) – Vancouver Island has long been known as a world leader in responsible marine mammal viewing and, as a result, is a draw for visitors from around the world, but the rising influence of social media creates additional challenges for operators.

Hoping to quell negative impacts to the marine mammals in the coastal waters around Vancouver Island, 4VI has partnered with the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) and the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association (NIMMSA) to create an awareness campaign for visitors.

While viral videos showing surprise close encounters with whales and other marine life may be captivating, the results are often not positive in the long-term. Sharing imagery of close encounters, even when legitimately a surprise, creates confusion about national laws meant to reduce disturbance to marine mammals.

“Marine ecotourism standards in British Columbia are already some of the highest in the world, with operators adhering to strict minimum distance regulations meant to reduce disturbances to wildlife”,” said Brian Cant, VP, Business Impact & Engagement, 4VI. “However, we still see examples of photos and videos being shared on social media that show close encounters with marine mammals. Our goal is to ensure that visitors are provided with accurate information about safe distances and expectations for guests, without putting wildlife or humans at risk.”

A short video, For The Whales, has been developed to help inform visitors that operators in the Vancouver Island Region are committed to setting and following global best practices for marine mammal viewing. Operators and partners are encouraged to share this video on their own social media platforms prior to, and during, the busy summer season.

Operators in the Vancouver Island Region are being offered guidance and support by 4VI and partners to help develop and reinforce their policies. Suggestions of ways to reinforce guidelines include conducting an internal audit of marketing and promotional materials to ensure that portrayals of marine mammal viewing are legal, accurate, and safe. Operators seeking additional clarity on this issue may learn more by connecting with 4VI.

“This project is an example of how our region, through collaboration, is demonstrating leadership in this space,” said Stephen Gabrysh, president of NIMMSA. “We want to ensure that all wildlife viewing is portrayed through a natural and ethical lens, with wildlife behaving as if we were never there.”

“This collaborative project is about contributing to the culture of best practices for marine ecotourism,” said Jackie Hildering of MERS. “The language and imagery used by operators and the media needs to encourage visitors to respect wildlife and the laws we have in place to reduce disturbance.”

By ensuring that more visitors are aware of modern laws and standards to protect marine mammals, undue pressure on operators will be reduced, delivering more satisfactory guest experiences, and avoiding potential for harmful human-wildlife interactions.

To learn more, visit forvi.ca.

About Marine Education and Research Society (MERS)

The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) is a registered Canadian charity promoting conservation and understanding of marine ecosystems. Their team is based on northern Vancouver Island in the Territories of the Kwak̕wala-speaking Peoples.

MERS’s work revolves around three key pillars: research, education, and response. With a research focus on whales, their team is driven to understand and reduce anthropogenic impacts on marine species. Their research directly influences educational efforts to motivate behavioral change to reduce threats and inspire stewardship. MERS also acts as primary responders for dead, distressed, and injured marine mammals (as tasked by DFO) and assists with training of response volunteers. MERS’s research and education efforts inform communications around marine mammal rescue and response.

About North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association (NIMMSA)

The North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association, NIMMSA, formed in 2006 to undertake business and stewardship actions aimed at benefiting the local marine environment, species within it, and the economy. NIMMSA currently represents the shared vision of over 30 organizations.

North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association members are committed to the sustainability of a positive balance between human activities and the health of the local marine ecosystem. Prior to the creation of NIMMSA its current members had a long history of cooperation and stewardship but no formal body to represent or fund mutually beneficial initiatives.

About 4VI

4VI is a social enterprise created to ensure travel is a force for good — forever. Headquartered on Vancouver Island, the organization takes a holistic approach to its work through the use of four pillars of social responsibility: businesses, communities, culture, and the environment. 4VI is putting its expertise into action by delivering innovative tourism advisory services for destinations and businesses through its for-profit arm. In addition, they proudly provide regional destination management services for the Vancouver Island Region through an agreement with Destination British Columbia. 4VI is the first destination management organization of its kind to not just commit to changing how tourism is managed, but to developing the corporate structure as a social enterprise that drives this much needed change. Learn more at forvi.ca.

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Media contact:

Brian Cant, 4VI: 250-888-8729 or [email protected]