2. Regulations

Law 2381:

• Article 1: Every approach, pursuit, navigation, swimming and diving activity is forbidden with any species of marine mammals and its young, on the shores and sea within the provincial jurisdiction throughout the whole year.

• Article 2: Special permits could be conferred, only supervised by the authority above mentioned, and abiding to the following rules:
  • a) Approaching or pursuit of animals with their young is forbidden.
  • b) If approach is done by using a motor boat, the engine has to be turned off, and in case of an outboard engine, the propeller will have to he lifted, all this at a distance no less than (one hundred) 100 metres from any individual.
  • c) Multiple changes of speed, as well as circling round any individual is also forbidden.
  • d) Once the engine is turned off, a distance of roughly (fifty) 50 metres or more should be maintained.
  • e) If the mammals stop to withdraw, pursuit is forbidden.
  • f) Divers, swimmers and/or fishermen, must remain at least (one hundred) 100 metres away from the animals, and it is specially forbidden any action involving physical contact with them.
  • g) Only one boat is allowed to approach one or more indivuduals at a same time.
  • h) It is forbidden to fly over natural Reserves, colonies or specific marine areas under one hundred and fifty) 150 metres.

• Article 3: There are two areas inside the Golfo Nuevo:
  • a) Intangible areas: Total prohibition of navigational activities.
  • b) Restricted area: Restricted to individuals with exception of those authorized by the above mentioned authority.

• Article 4: Journalist or any kind of activities, national or foreign, with special permits must keep to these laws.

• Article 5: Every deed, by action or omission, that involves an alteration in the behaviour of any marine life is forbidden.

• Article 6: Article 6: Scientific activities will have to work within the regulations of the General Direction of Tourism and Recreation.

• Article 7: Violations committed by persons not authorised by the above authorities will be fined with at least, the equivalent incurrency of two hundred and fifty admission tickets to the Fauna Reserve and a maximum of two thousands admission tickets.

• Article 8: Violations committed by persons authorized will result in a suspension for a minimum of five days and the removal of the authorised permit. Being also applicable, the fines established in article 7.

• Article 9: Persons designated, by the above mentioned authorities, will be empowered to serve the fines as well as informing any violations to the law.

• Article 10: / ... this, refers to the method of applying the law to a transgressor./

• Article 11 - Article 12: About the executing of this law.

Law 2618

• Article 1: Substitute the article 1 and the first paragraph of the 2381 Law by the following. Copy the 2381 Law, article 1, and add :... the above authority empowers the General Direction of Tourism and Recreation to execute the following laws.

• Article 2: Deals with special permissions for the development of touristic exploitation of the resource.

Decree 916/86

• Article 1: The general Direction of Tourism and Recreation, which depends on the Secretatia General de la Gobernacion is authorized to execute the 2381/2618 Laws.

• Article 2: Deals with the registering of companies who perform whale watching services. Details about who should apply, how, and what should they provide come under this article.

• Article 3: Deals with the registration for a specialized licensed guide, to lead and transport people to WW.

• Conditions:
  • Written application
  • Be over eighteen years old
  • Hold a good behaviour certificate
  • Be a resident for at least two years in the province of Chubut
  • Pass an examination
  • Have an annual physical exam
  • Be a licensed WW guide, with two years experience working uinder a present worker.
  • Pay the established fees
  • Hold a licence to transport passengers, issued by the local authorities

• Article 4: Deals with the WW service; the quantities of companies allowed; the way to apply for a WW bid; duration of the contract.

• Article 5: Article 5: Deals with the bids. Taxes to pay the government, vessels features - quantity of passengers in said vessels; safety measures; services offered; background of specialized guides and duration of the license

• Article 6: Article 6: A team of rangers will supervise the execution and fulfillment of these regulations.

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