Dolphin SMART
Dolphin SMART is a partnership program developed by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and National Marine Fisheries Service, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and the Dolphin Ecology Project.
to our current Dolphin SMART businesses. If you are planning to go, be sure to look before you book! To choose a SMART operator, view a list of participants.
Mission
To promote responsible stewardship of wild dolphins in coastal waterways.Dolphin SMART Program Purpose:
- Minimize the potential of wild dolphin harassment caused by commercial viewing activities.
- Reduce expectations of close interaction with wild dolphins in a manner that may cause harassment.
- Eliminate advertising that creates expectations of engaging in activities that may cause harassment.
- Promote stewardship of local coastal waterways.
Background
Dolphin SMART is a unique voluntary recognition and education program encouraging responsible viewing of wild dolphins. Program participation is for commercial businesses conducting and booking wild dolphin tours, or any commercial vessel that may opportunistically view wild dolphins. The Dolphin SMART program offers participation incentives for businesses that follow the program criteria and educate their customers about the importance of minimizing wild dolphin harassment. It also includes an important research component that provides insight about the daily lives of the local, wild dolphin populations.
Program Sponsors:
Dolphin SMART is made possible through support from the following sponsors:
