🐋 Responsible Whale Watching – 

Our Commitment at Vilt Hjerte Camp

Whale watching is not a product. It is not a performance.
It is not a competition for the closest encounter.

It is a privilege.

We enter the natural habitat of wild marine mammals. They are not props. They are not attractions. They are living, intelligent beings who allow us into their home.

And that changes everything.

Our Foundation: Clear Responsibility

Our approach follows the principles of the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA):

• Wildlife first — tourism second
• No disturbance of feeding, resting or social behaviour
• Minimise proximity and time of exposure
• Avoid cumulative stress
• Education over sensation
• Protection for future generations

Responsible Whale Watching is not a marketing phrase for us. It is non-negotiable.

No Mass Tourism. No Chasing. No Pressure.
We operate with one boat only - maximum six guests.
No fleet. No racing for position. No surrounding animals.
Even when alone, we stay no longer than 30 minutes in one area. If a fourth boat arrives, we leave within 10 minutes.

Why?
Because disturbance is not only about distance — it is also about duration.
Noise accumulates. Presence accumulates. Pressure builds quietly.
We choose to reduce it.
If other boats increase the intensity, we step away.
Not because we have to. But because it is right.

The Whales Decide the Distance
We do not chase whales.
We do not cut their travel routes.
We do not box them in.

If a whale comes closer, it must always be their decision.
Closeness is not something we create. It is something we may be given.
And sometimes the most respectful choice is to stay further away.

Equipment Is Ethics
Many operators use wetsuits with weights and fins.
We do not.

A weighted wetsuit allows active diving.
It allows a person to descend toward whales.
It allows swimming fast and closing distance intentionally.

And the reality is simple:
Too many situations exist where humans do not respect distances to the whales.

Adrenaline takes over.
Excitement overrides judgment.
The desire to be closer becomes stronger than restraint.

Fins create speed. Weights create depth control. Together, they make pursuit possible.
We deliberately remove that possibility.

Our guests wear dry suits with natural buoyancy. No weights. No fins.

A dry suit keeps you floating at the surface.
It prevents active diving. It slows movement. It creates space.
If a whale approaches, it is their own choice. Not ours.

Bait Balls – Hunting Is Survival

A bait ball is not a spectacle - It is a meal.

Thousands of herring compress into a tight sphere.
Orcas coordinate with precision. Humpback whales rise with open mouths.
This is not chaos - It is survival.
Whales depend on these feeding moments.
They need this food for:

• long migrations
• pregnancy
• nursing calves
• building energy reserves for the arctic winter

Now imagine this:
You are extremely hungry.
You have not eaten properly in days.
You finally sit down for a full meal.

And just as you begin to eat, people jump onto your table. They push into your plate. They scatter your food. They interrupt you — just to take a photo.

How would that feel?
Frustrating?
Stressful?
Exhausting?

Now imagine that happening again and again.
That is what it means when humans swim directly into bait balls.
The fish scatter. The coordinated hunt collapses. Energy is lost.
And energy, for these animals, means survival.

So we ask ourselves:
Do we really want to interrupt natural hunting behaviour for the sake of a perfect social media image?

At Vilt Hjerte Camp, the answer is clear. We do not bring guests into active feeding situations. We do not dive into bait balls. We remain outside. We observe. We leave if necessary. Their meal matters more than our image.

Social Media vs. Responsibility
We see also the insane close and dramatic images online. People swimming cm away from hunting whales. Divers descending toward whales. Extreme close-ups.

Yes, they look powerful. Yes, they generate attention.
But attention is not our standard. We are not looking for the closest encounter.
Not the most viral video. Not the perfect Insta shot.

We are looking for encounters rooted in respect — with the focus on the animals, not on us.

For Those Who Come After Us
If we are truly moved by these animals, respect must show in restraint.
Responsible Whale Watching means:

Not doing everything that is possible — but only what is justifiable.
We are guests. And guests carry responsibility.
So that whales do not have to change their behaviour.
So that they do not abandon feeding grounds.
So that they do not disappear.
For our children and for all those who come after us.
For a future where these encounters are still possible.

Our Guiding Principle
This is the whales’ home. We enter quietly. We stay consciously.
We leave in time. Not everything that is possible is right.
Respect is our boundary.

And that is where true Responsible Whale Watching begins. 

The recent rapid increase in boat numbers, and in-water activities as well as potential further increase next season, has led to many requests for guidelines from both communities and operators. These guidelines are to provide some immediate assistance to operators and boat users, as well as to especially enable effective planning of appropriate activities for the next whale season. Some of the phenomena accessible for viewing in the fjords are globally unique and of scientific importance. The coexistence of humpbacks, fin whales and orcas in feeding situations is distinct from behaviours seen in other locations in former years. Currently, there may be very few, or no situations to observe on a given day, often confined to small areas of water, and even then only if conditions are such that it is safe and comfortable to do so. In the current absence of direct government regulations, we encourage both commercial operators and private whale watchers to adhere to the following responsible guidelines that have been developed with the encouragement of local communities, local commercial operators, and the media. These guidelines are by no means meant to thwart whale-related commercial activities. Rather they are a “best practice” for the long-term sustainability of an industry that is dependent on minimizing anthropic disturbance of a natural system. These can be improved.
*All cetacean species are referred to as “whales” in these guidelines, although some species are called “dolphin” or “porpoise” in English.
 

Topside whale watching guidelines

We acknowledge the relevance of efforts made elsewhere and specifically for Arctic waters such as those by AECO and the Norwegian Polar Institute. We have deliberately included content from these as well as some suggestions publicised by Ocean Sounds e.V.
Both commercial and private whale watchers need to have an understanding of the whale behaviours and these guidelines. Understanding whale behaviour in the fjords assists operators in adhering to guidelines and in educating passengers.

Include educational programs

Commercial whale watching operators are encouraged to include educational programs in their tours, highlighting the fragility of the marine environment and inspiring respect and environmental friendly attitudes and behaviours.
Give research activities space to work. Operators should also encourage customers to share photographs and observations with researchers.

Coordinated and responsible vessel operations

Operators are encouraged to use boats to capacity, as well as the larger of their boats when possible to reduce the overall number of boats observing whales.
We advise a maximum of 3 boats observing simultaneously each situation, for the sake of whales and also to enhance the “wilderness experience”. Boats are encouraged to cooperate so that if there are more boats than limited situations, maximum boat time per situation is 30 minutes. Boats waiting for their turn should remain more than 500m away from whales where possible, or at an appropriately remote distance from the situation depending on the local topography.  Successful trips should be capped at 3 hours, given the short winter light, and addressing customers’ exposure to cold.
Boats should have a skipper as well as a lookout – more eyes at sea for ease of spotting (and keeping a distance from) whales and other small craft, especially in low light.
Fishermen share these fjords and should be respected by the increased boat traffic.

Responsible approach and conduct

Approach whales slowly, at less than 5 knots when within 300m, and at constant speed, from the side and slightly to the rear.
Move parallel to the direction of moving whales, not directly from behind where whales may feel chased, neither head-on, nor intercepting the path. 
Minimum speed should be kept from 100m and idle speed from 50m from a situation.
Keep quiet. Whales may approach the boat, which is fine, but go to engine neutral and only re-engage if the whale has clearly passed. Turn engine off if appropriate.
Avoid sudden acceleration/change in boat direction. Whales will not always react fast enough if surprised. Sudden gear changes and reversing cause disturbing underwater engine noise. Identify resting whales, characterized by regular patterns of surfacing in groups, remaining motionless or moving slowly on the surface, and then diving. Stay well away of resting whales. It is easy to disturb feeding whales and chase them away. Avoid getting too close. Turn off sonar/echo-sounder when close to a feeding situation.
Boats should not encircle whales or block their freedom of movement. Under no circumstances should one try to attract or touch the whales (e.g. using food/fish, playing/producing sounds or using light). If whales show signs of stress or show avoidance behaviour despite following these guidelines, move on. Signs may include whales constantly changing direction or speed or making long dives to avoid a boat.
In-water activities with whales is discouraged. 

Contributors to the guidelines

These guidelines have been developed in collaboration with: Acquarone, Mario. Chair of Council of the European Cetacean Society (www.europeancetaceansociety.eu) and Researcher, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Baker, Russell. Behavioural consultancy, FB: Russell Baker - Learning from Whales
Bertella, Giovanna. Associate Professor, School of Business and Economics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway