When you head out to the ocean seeking whales, dolphins, or corals, be sure to practice proper ocean etiquette and ask if the company you are using is certified by Whale SENSE, Dolphin SMART or Blue Star.
Did you know that NOAA partners with commercial whale and dolphin watching companies, as well as diving and snorkeling charters, to promote safe and responsible ocean adventures? While watching dolphins and whales may not seem obtrusive, when conducted irresponsibly, it can actually disrupt feeding, nursing, mating, and migrating behaviors and cause unintended injuries to the animals and the watcher. Likewise, by practicing responsible diving and snorkeling, you can lessen local stress on a coral reef ecosystem while still enjoying its beauty.
That's why NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and conservation organizations like Whale and Dolphin Conservation and the Dolphin Ecology Project have developed educational awareness and certification programs dedicated to responsible whale, dolphin, and coral watching in specific regions around the nation.