Whales and dolphins

It can be tempting to get close to whales and dolphins for a look, but getting too close is illegal due to safety concerns for the animals. It can also be dangerous as a whale, particularly a female with a young calf, can feel threatened and react unexpectedly.

Keep your boat well away and avoid:

• travelling on a collision course, especially head-on toward a whale or dolphin
• sudden changes of speed or direction.

See information above for minimum distances.

You should also keep clear during mating time, generally during the winter months, as whales get quite boisterous.

Personal watercraft, such as jet skis and wave-runners, must stay further away from all marine mammals because their speed and manoeuvrability can pose greater risks.

Propellor strikes from boats can cause serious injury or death to dolphins and other marine mammals.

The best protection for marine mammals is to stay alert and keep a safe distance whenever they are nearby. However, there are times when these marine mammals may be difficult to see.

Fitting a propellor guard provides an additional layer of protection for marine mammals by significantly reducing the risks of propellor strikes. This guard will also make boating less stressful when marine mammals are nearby.

Aquatic reserves and marine parks safeguard:

• important marine habitats
• species of flora and fauna
• significant natural features
• cultural heritage.

Encounter Bay Marine Park speeds

Within the Encounter Bay Marine Park all vessels and persons must keep a distance of 300 metres from any marine mammal. Further information can be found at the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary speeds

Speed limits are in place for parts of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary for the protection of all water users and marine life. Limits of four knots and seven knots are signed throughout the area.

Fishing in aquatic and marine parks

Restrictions in aquatic reserves range from totally closed areas to areas allowing some recreational fishing. These are sometimes signposted. Please check for details before you go boating.

Marine park sanctuary zones prohibit all forms of extractive activities, including fishing and collecting, mining, aquaculture and dredging. Maps and coordinates are available online at www.marineparks.sa.gov.au

Sanctuary zone boundaries are progressively being incorporated into navigational charts and other publications.

If you use a chart of the area and a hand-held GPS receiver for navigation, you should take care. Variances can occur both from GPS inaccuracy and from changing conditions since the chart was printed.

If you see a fishing offence in an aquatic reserve or marine park sanctuary zone, please contact FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522.

Both state and federal laws protect whales and dolphins, including the distances that boats, swimmers and aircraft may approach.

The relevant state legislation, administered by the Department of Environment and Water, is the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and the National Parks and Wildlife (Protected Animals - Marine Mammals) Regulation 2010.

Members of the public can report vessels operating unsafely or harassing marine mammals via the report a marine safety concern online tool.

Please provide as much detail as possible including vessel registration details, nature of the incident, identity or description of people involved (if any). Please provide photo / video evidence if available.

If you see a shark near swimmers or where it could otherwise harm humans, please report the location, description, distance to shore, and your contact details to one of the following:

• FISHWATCH, telephone: 1800 065 522
• SA Police, telephone: 131 444
• The local surf lifesaving club.

If you see marine life that’s unusual in South Australian waters, including turtles, strange fish and sea snakes, please contact the South Australian Museum.