The Whale Museum estimates that annually more than 100,000 people go whale watching on commercial whale-watch boats in the transboundary waters of Washington and British Columbia. Several thousand more watch whales from private boats.
Whale watching provides people with an opportunity to learn about and appreciate marine wildlife.
As more people become aware of the importance of the marine ecosystems on this planet, increasing numbers of them will work to help preserve it. However, it is extremely important that the large numbers of humans who watch whales and other marine animals in the wild don't disrupt the animals' environment and ability to live normal, healthy lives. The Whale Museum created the Soundwatch Boater Education Program in 1993 to educate pleasure boaters on the least intrusive ways to watch whales in the wild. On the water every day each summer, Soundwatch crews and volunteers monitor boater activity near whales. When they see boat activity that could potentially disrupt or harm the whales, Soundwatch approaches boaters, courteously explains the rules and hands them the Soundwatch Boater Guidelines brochure.