Promoting sustainable tour practices
How to do a high quality whale (dolphin) watching?
Follow the Panamanian conduct regulation
Based on Law 13, 2005, Panama established the Resolution No 0530-2017 to regulate whale-watching activities and conserve cetacean populations. This resolution applies to all whale watching activities (scientific, commercial, educational). For commercial whale watching operators, the resolution specifies the presence of trained and certified guides that can provide information about the biology of the animals as well as instructions about the activity and its risks. Download our practical guide (in Spanish) for a responsible whale watching in Panama.
Based on Law 13, 2005, Panama established the Resolution No 0530-2017 to regulate whale-watching activities and conserve cetacean populations. This resolution applies to all whale watching activities (scientific, commercial, educational). For commercial whale watching operators, the resolution specifies the presence of trained and certified guides that can provide information about the biology of the animals as well as instructions about the activity and its risks. Download our practical guide (in Spanish) for a responsible whale watching in Panama.
Sustainable whale watching
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No sustainable whale watching
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Conduct guidelines for commercial whale watching boats include:
- The number of boats allowed to follow cetaceans simultaneously (2)
- Boats have to maintain a 200m distance from each other and 100 m. from the target cetacean(s).
- In coming boats have to wait 30min after the previous one has left to approach cetaceans.
- Commercial whale watching boats should remain 300 m away from research boats.
- Boat should keep a distance of >100 m from dolphins and >250m from whales. Note: The distance for research boats is variable depending on the study.
- Speed of approach should be 7km/h. When following the target species, boats should not move faster than the slowest swimming cetacean.
- Approach and depart from a direction that is parallel and slightly to the rear of the cetacean.
- Avoid sudden or repeated changes in speed during the encounter.
- During encounters the engine should be kept in neutral when animals are within a 250 m radius.
- Encounter time cannot be more than 30 min, and 15 min for groups with mothers and calves. Note: this time varies for scientific projects.
- The disruption of behavior and any kind of harassment of cetaceans is prohibited. When animals show signs of disturbance, the boat should leave the area at a speed no greater than 7km/h.
- Failure to comply to this resolution will result in sanctions (Chapter VII, ADM/ARAP No. 01)
- For your safety Swimming with cetaceans is not allowed in Panama.
To our visitors
You can also contribute to the conservation of marine mammals and their habitat, some recomendation for you while you are in a whale watching tour
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If you see an injured, stranded, entangled or dead animal, please contact to SENAN 108 / Denuncia ciudadana 311
