Whale Watching Guidelines: Interactions with Whales, Dolphins and Dugongs in Timor-Leste
About this document
The code of conduct and standard operating procedures for whale, dolphin and dugong watching in Timor-Leste, written for tour operators, boat crews, guides, researchers and visitors. It sets minimum approach distances for boats, aircraft and drones, a limit of three vessels near the animals at one time, extra protection for mothers and calves, and how to report injured or stranded marine mammals. It builds on the 2020 Guidelines for Interactions with Cetaceans and Dugongs in Timor-Leste, and was produced by Conservation International Timor-Leste with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry under the SOMACORE project. This edition is dated 30 September 2026 and adds profiles of the whales, dolphins and dugongs found in Timor-Leste waters.
