Our Commitment
Five Star Whale Watching is a proud member of 1% For The Planet. We recognize that we have a responsibility for our planet and are committed to creating a positive impact. Because of this, we donate at least 1% of our sales to non-profits focused on environmental issues.
The information network we are part of translates into the highest success rates of finding whales in their natural environment while consuming less fuel on average. What does this mean? We are minimizing our ecological footprint! Five Star Whale Watching has been in the forefront of the battle to save the Southern Resident orcas and other marine species at risk and will continue to play an active role in protecting our marine environment. We are proud to be Victoria’s first World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) Certified Responsible Whale Watching Operator.
Ways to help protect our Marine Environment
Please find below a list of key ways you can help protect the marine environment and how Five Star Whale Watching helps to protect the incredible life that can be found in the ocean:
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replenish, Restore should become part of your every day life. One less plastic bag in the garbage can make a difference and every little bit helps!
- Join the Center for Whale Research. Five Star Whale Watching is a proud supporter of the Center For Whale Research and we encourage everyone to become a member. Visit their website at Center For Whale Research
- Adopt a whale. By adopting an orca, you can become a key partner in the research effort to save the Southern Resident orcas. Whale Museum Wild Killer Whale Adoption
- Only eat sustainable seafood. Do not eat farmed salmon, only purchase Ocean Wise seafood. Learn more at ocean.org
- Limit pollutants. By reducing the toxic chemicals we use in our household & especially ones we flush down the drains, we can help reduce the toxins found in the oceans. Try to use as many green/biodegradable products as possible.
- Get involved. Every little bit helps and everyone’s voice matters. It might not seem a big deal, but every small step can lead to the ultimate goal of protecting our marine environment. You can also make a donation or volunteer to some of the organizations we work with; see the list below.
- WCA certification. We are proud to be Victoria’s first World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) Certified Responsible Whale Watching Operator. Only participate in tours with ethical and responsible companies.
- Whale warning flag. We fly the Whale Warning Flag on all our vessels to warn other boaters are in the area. If you are a boater, learn how to Be Whale Wise.
- Whale reporting network. We are part of the whale reporting network that provides alerts to commercial vessels that whales are in the area and to slow down. The data also is used for research purposes.
- Staff involvement. Many of our staff are and continue to be part of the important research into protecting our precious marine environment.
Five Star Whale Watching works closely with the top marine researchers in the Pacific Northwest, including the Center For Whale Research. We are committed to helping protect the marine environment and the marine mammals we love, and we encourage our guests to do the same.
Join The Movement
Five Star Whale Watching is a proud member of 1% For The Planet. We recognize that we have a responsibility #forourplanet and are committed to creating a positive impact. As a result, we donate at least 1% of our sales to #nonprofits focused on #environmental issues.
Five Star Whale Watching works closely with the top Marine Researchers in the Pacific Northwest, including The Center For Whale Research.
We are committed to helping protect the Marine Environment and the Marine Mammals we love and we encourage our guests to do the same. Becoming a member of the Center for Whale Research is a great way to help.
Other organizations that we are proud to support include;
Orca Behavior Institute – The Orca Behavior Institute (OBI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization started by Monika Wieland Shields and Michael Weiss in March 2015. Our mission is to conduct non-invasive behavioral and acoustic research on the killer whales of the Salish Sea and beyond.
Orca Conservancy – Since 1996, ORCA CONSERVANCY has worked tirelessly to
recover the Southern Resident killer whale population
throughout their habitat range
WCA – The WCA is the world’s largest marine conservation partnership. WCA Partners are businesses, individuals, NGO’s, performers, lawyers, artists, (just to name a few) working across the world on a united mission to protect our oceans and the communities that rely on them.
Pacific Salmon Foundation – The Pacific Salmon Foundation, founded in 1987, is a federally incorporated non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild Pacific salmon and their natural habitats in British Columbia and the Yukon.
The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) – is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to promoting conservation and understanding of marine ecosystems through scientific research, environmental education, and marine wildlife response.
Shaw Centre – As a not-for-profit community organization, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea connects the public with the Salish Sea Bioregion and its ecosystems through engagement, knowledge and awareness.
Ocean Wise – Our mission is to inspire the global community to become Ocean Wise by increasing its understanding, wonder and appreciation for our oceans.
FOLKS – Founded in 2011, the Friends of Lime Kiln Society, provides awe-inspiring experiences for all park visitors. This unique Lime Kiln State Park location, within the Salish Sea, affords FOLKS a wonderful opportunity to create dynamic educational activities that stem from a diverse marine ecosystem. The historic lighthouse and restored lime kilns allow visitors the ability to “walk back in time” to an era long gone.
Cascadia Research – a non-profit Washington State corporation recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, has conducted scientific research and education for the past 40 years.
Orca Network – is a non-profit organization registered in Washington State ), dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats. A community is emerging that is increasingly attuned to the orca population, that cares about and tries to understand the needs of the Resident and Transient orcas that inhabit the Salish Sea.