New Limits on Approaching Whales Now In Force In Canada

Canada is for the first time enforcing limits on how close people, including tourism workers, can get to whales.

The regulations, which cover killer whales on the Pacific coast as well as belugas in the East, are meant to ease one of many threats the endangered and threatened marine mammals face, Adam Burns, Fisheries and Oceans Canada director general for fisheries resource management, said in a teleconference July 11.

Individuals and businesses face steep fines and even jail time for breaching the species-specific rules.

“In large measure, [tourism operators] are supportive of the approach that is now in ...