If you’re like me, the opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat is one of the main reasons you enjoy kayaking. 
There’s just something special about getting close to shore birds, wading birds, egrets, herons, oystercatchers, skimmers, seagulls, turns, brown pelicans, diamond terrapin, sea turtles, loggerheads, and even dolphins! But as with any activity that brings us into contact with nature, there are some things we need to keep in mind so that we can observe and respect our wild neighbors. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to safely enjoy wildlife encounters while kayaking and help preserve these amazing creatures and picturesque nature spots for future generations.
Ecotourism and Leaving No Trace
When we travel to view wildlife, whether it’s in our own backyard or from the inside of a kayak, it’s important to practice what is known as “ecotourism.” Ecotourism is environmentally responsible travel and tourism that conserves natural areas and benefits animals. This means that we are visiting nature locations and observing wildlife, but also respecting it by leaving it the way we found it. As kayakers, we can do our part to be good stewards of the environment by following the principles of “Leave No Trace.”
Leaving No Trace
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a national organization that promotes and inspires responsible outdoor recreation through education, research, and partnerships. Leave No Trace has seven principles that we can all follow to help minimize our impact on the environment:
» Plan Ahead and Prepare: Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll be visiting.
» Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack it in, pack it out. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug six to eight inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, campsites, and trails.
» Leave What You Find: Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
» Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use a stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
» Respect Wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals.
» Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Yield to other users on the trail and be courteous in crowded areas. control your pets at all times, and refrain from making too much noise.
Respecting Wildlife As A Kayaker
As a kayaker, you are already at a disadvantage when it comes to respecting wildlife. You’re in their home, after all, and they may not be too happy to see you. Think about how you make a minimal impression by remaining as quiet as you can, while also disturbing as little as you can. Kayaking around Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher areas tends to be rich in wildlife sightings. When you encounter animals like birds, fish, turtles, and even dolphins, here are some tips to remember:
» View wildlife from a distance: Never approach wildlife and attempt to pet, capture, or distu
rb them in any way. You are usually much bigger than they are and can easily startle them. Use binoculars to get a closer look, or zoom in with your cell phone camera instead. If an animal is disturbed by your presence, you’re too close.
» Don’t follow or approach animals: This includes getting too close to birds’ nests or other animals’ dens. If they feel threatened, they may attack you or abandon their young.
» Don’t feed the animals: Human food is often unhealthy for wildlife, and feeding them can also change their natural behavior. It’s illegal to feed some species of wildlife, like alligators, because it makes them more aggressive towards humans.
» Paddle quietly and avoid sudden movements: Sudden noises and movements can startle animals and cause them stress. When paddling around areas where you might see wildlife, be as quiet as possible. Move slowly and deliberately if you need to make a move.
» Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to your environment so that you don’t accidentally paddle into an area where you’re not supposed to be, like a bird nesting site. If an area is roped off or has signs posted, respect the wildlife by staying out of it.
Leave Nothing Behind
It’s heartbreaking how much plastic and trash are floating in lakes and oceans. As humans, we need to do better and protect wildlife from these kinds of obstacles/obstructions that can be detrimental to them. If you see trash while you’re kayaking, do your part to pick it up and dispose of it properly. Not only will this help keep the waterways clean, but it will also prevent animals from getting entangled in or ingesting plastic and other trash.
Do not leave any trash behind yourself. This includes things like cigarette butts, food wrappers, and cans. If you pack it in, be sure to pack it out with you when you leave. If you’re kayaking with children, you should be extra vigilant of where your kids are leaving trash. Children have to be taught how to respect nature, and will not do so inherently without your help.
Kayakers can have amazing wildlife encounters while still respecting the animals and their habitat. By following the principles of Leave No Trace and being aware of your surroundings, you can minimize your impact on the environment and help preserve these areas for future generations. So get out there and explore, but do so responsibly!