{"id":12234,"date":"2026-08-16T06:22:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T04:22:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/?page_id=12234"},"modified":"2026-08-16T06:42:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T04:42:55","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Shelltone Whale Project FAQ<\/h1>\n\n

\nEverything you need to know about Shelltone, respectful whale watching and our selected operators.\n<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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1. What is the Shelltone Whale Project?<\/h2>\n\n

The Shelltone Whale Project is an environmental organization founded in 1981 that develops a worldwide network of whale-watching operators selected for their respectful approach to cetaceans.<\/p>\n\n

Its approach is based on decades of field experience and research into human-cetacean interactions, and on the development of non-intrusive observation methods designed to minimize disturbance and allow animals to remain free in their natural environment.<\/p>\n\n

Today, Shelltone applies these principles to select whale-watching operators around the world and help travelers choose more respectful ways to encounter cetaceans.<\/p>\n\n\n

2. What is respectful whale watching?<\/h2>\n\n

Respectful whale watching means observing cetaceans without forcing an interaction or disrupting their natural behavior.<\/p>\n\n

The vessel maintains a safe distance, approaches slowly and parallel to the animals’ direction of travel, never chases or intercepts them, and allows the cetaceans to determine the distance they wish to maintain.<\/p>\n\n

It also means knowing when not to approach. Mothers with calves, nursery groups, feeding animals and mating groups must be left undisturbed. Shelltone calls this principle positive renunciation: choosing not to approach when observation could interfere with the animals’ natural behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n

3. How does Shelltone select whale watching operators?<\/h2>\n\n

Shelltone selects whale watching operators based on their commitment to the Shelltone Charter and on an evaluation of their overall approach to cetaceans.<\/p>\n\n

The Charter sets clear baseline rules: a minimum distance of 100 meters, a maximum approach speed of 5 knots, no use of sonar or fish-finder equipment to locate cetaceans, no chasing or intercepting animals, no approach to nursery groups, and a maximum observation time of 45 minutes with the same group.<\/p>\n\n

Beyond these rules, Shelltone considers the operator’s overall attitude, the quality of the guidance provided on board, and its ability to recognize when choosing not to approach is the most respectful decision.<\/p>\n\n

Only operators that meet these criteria are selected by the Shelltone Whale Project.<\/p>\n\n\n

4. What is a Shelltone Selected Operator?<\/h2>\n\n

A Shelltone Selected Operator is a whale-watching operator that has been evaluated and selected by the Shelltone Whale Project for its commitment to respectful interactions with cetaceans.<\/p>\n\n

Selection requires compliance with the Shelltone Charter and also considers the operator’s overall behavior at sea, the quality of the guidance provided on board, and its ability to recognize when choosing not to approach is the most respectful decision.<\/p>\n\n

Shelltone Selected status is not a paid certification or advertising label. It identifies operators that meet the selection criteria defined by the Shelltone Whale Project.<\/p>\n\n\n

5. What is the Shelltone Charter?<\/h2>\n\n

The Shelltone Charter is the framework that defines the practices the Shelltone Whale Project considers respectful when approaching and observing cetaceans at sea.<\/p>\n\n

Developed from decades of field experience and research into human-cetacean interactions, it establishes clear rules designed to minimize disturbance and allow cetaceans to remain free in their natural behavior.<\/p>\n\n

The Charter is one of the foundations used by Shelltone to select whale-watching operators. Every Shelltone Selected Operator commits to respecting its principles.<\/p>\n\n

The full Shelltone Charter is publicly available on the Shelltone Whale Project website.<\/p>\n\n\n

6. How does Shelltone ensure its selected operators continue to meet its standards?<\/h2>\n\n

Shelltone Selected status is not permanent.<\/p>\n\n

Operators are expected to continue respecting the Shelltone Charter and the principles under which they were originally selected. Shelltone remains attentive to their practices and may review an operator whenever new information raises questions about its approach to cetaceans.<\/p>\n\n

If an operator no longer meets Shelltone’s standards, it can be removed from the network.<\/p>\n\n\n

7. Can an operator pay to become Shelltone Selected?<\/h2>\n\n

No. An operator cannot pay to become Shelltone Selected.<\/p>\n\n

Selection is based solely on the operator’s compliance with the Shelltone Charter and Shelltone’s evaluation criteria.<\/p>\n\n

Operators do not pay a membership fee, certification fee, or listing fee to be selected or featured on the Shelltone Whale Project website.<\/p>\n\n

Shelltone may receive a commission when a traveler books an excursion through its website, but this commercial relationship is separate from the selection process and does not influence whether an operator is selected.<\/p>\n\n

An operator that no longer meets Shelltone’s standards can be removed from the network.<\/p>\n\n\n

8. Does booking through Shelltone cost more than booking directly with the operator?<\/h2>\n\n

No. Booking through the Shelltone Whale Project does not cost more than booking directly with the operator. The price is the same.<\/p>\n\n

Bookings made through the Shelltone website use the selected operator’s own booking calendar and payment system. Payment is made directly to the operator; Shelltone does not handle the traveler’s money.<\/p>\n\n

By booking through Shelltone, travelers support the project without paying any additional fee.<\/p>\n\n<\/section> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Shelltone Whale Project FAQ Everything you need to know about Shelltone, respectful whale watching and our selected operators. 1. What is the Shelltone Whale Project? The Shelltone Whale Project is an environmental organization founded in 1981 that develops a worldwide network of whale-watching operators selected for their respectful approach to cetaceans. Its approach is based […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":12237,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-12234","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"

Shelltone Whale Project FAQ<\/h1>\n

Everything you need to know about Shelltone, respectful whale watching and our selected operators. <\/p>\n

\n

1. What is the Shelltone Whale Project?<\/h2>\n

The Shelltone Whale Project is an environmental organization founded in 1981 that develops a worldwide network of whale-watching operators selected for their respectful approach to cetaceans.<\/p>\n

Its approach is based on decades of field experience and research into human-cetacean interactions, and on the development of non-intrusive observation methods designed to minimize disturbance and allow animals to remain free in their natural environment.<\/p>\n

Today, Shelltone applies these principles to select whale-watching operators around the world and help travelers choose more respectful ways to encounter cetaceans.<\/p>\n

2. What is respectful whale watching?<\/h2>\n

Respectful whale watching means observing cetaceans without forcing an interaction or disrupting their natural behavior.<\/p>\n

The vessel maintains a safe distance, approaches slowly and parallel to the animals' direction of travel, never chases or intercepts them, and allows the cetaceans to determine the distance they wish to maintain.<\/p>\n

It also means knowing when not to approach. Mothers with calves, nursery groups, feeding animals and mating groups must be left undisturbed. Shelltone calls this principle positive renunciation: choosing not to approach when observation could interfere with the animals' natural behavior.<\/p>\n

3. How does Shelltone select whale watching operators?<\/h2>\n

Shelltone selects whale watching operators based on their commitment to the Shelltone Charter and on an evaluation of their overall approach to cetaceans.<\/p>\n

The Charter sets clear baseline rules: a minimum distance of 100 meters, a maximum approach speed of 5 knots, no use of sonar or fish-finder equipment to locate cetaceans, no chasing or intercepting animals, no approach to nursery groups, and a maximum observation time of 45 minutes with the same group.<\/p>\n

Beyond these rules, Shelltone considers the operator's overall attitude, the quality of the guidance provided on board, and its ability to recognize when choosing not to approach is the most respectful decision.<\/p>\n

Only operators that meet these criteria are selected by the Shelltone Whale Project.<\/p>\n

4. What is a Shelltone Selected Operator?<\/h2>\n

A Shelltone Selected Operator is a whale-watching operator that has been evaluated and selected by the Shelltone Whale Project for its commitment to respectful interactions with cetaceans.<\/p>\n

Selection requires compliance with the Shelltone Charter and also considers the operator's overall behavior at sea, the quality of the guidance provided on board, and its ability to recognize when choosing not to approach is the most respectful decision.<\/p>\n

Shelltone Selected status is not a paid certification or advertising label. It identifies operators that meet the selection criteria defined by the Shelltone Whale Project.<\/p>\n

5. What is the Shelltone Charter?<\/h2>\n

The Shelltone Charter is the framework that defines the practices the Shelltone Whale Project considers respectful when approaching and observing cetaceans at sea.<\/p>\n

Developed from decades of field experience and research into human-cetacean interactions, it establishes clear rules designed to minimize disturbance and allow cetaceans to remain free in their natural behavior.<\/p>\n

The Charter is one of the foundations used by Shelltone to select whale-watching operators. Every Shelltone Selected Operator commits to respecting its principles.<\/p>\n

The full Shelltone Charter is publicly available on the Shelltone Whale Project website.<\/p>\n

6. How does Shelltone ensure its selected operators continue to meet its standards?<\/h2>\n

Shelltone Selected status is not permanent.<\/p>\n

Operators are expected to continue respecting the Shelltone Charter and the principles under which they were originally selected. Shelltone remains attentive to their practices and may review an operator whenever new information raises questions about its approach to cetaceans.<\/p>\n

If an operator no longer meets Shelltone's standards, it can be removed from the network.<\/p>\n

7. Can an operator pay to become Shelltone Selected?<\/h2>\n

No. An operator cannot pay to become Shelltone Selected.<\/p>\n

Selection is based solely on the operator's compliance with the Shelltone Charter and Shelltone's evaluation criteria.<\/p>\n

Operators do not pay a membership fee, certification fee, or listing fee to be selected or featured on the Shelltone Whale Project website.<\/p>\n

Shelltone may receive a commission when a traveler books an excursion through its website, but this commercial relationship is separate from the selection process and does not influence whether an operator is selected.<\/p>\n

An operator that no longer meets Shelltone's standards can be removed from the network.<\/p>\n

8. Does booking through Shelltone cost more than booking directly with the operator?<\/h2>\n

No. Booking through the Shelltone Whale Project does not cost more than booking directly with the operator. The price is the same.<\/p>\n

Bookings made through the Shelltone website use the selected operator's own booking calendar and payment system. Payment is made directly to the operator; Shelltone does not handle the traveler's money.<\/p>\n

By booking through Shelltone, travelers support the project without paying any additional fee.<\/p>\n<\/section>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12234"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12251,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12234\/revisions\/12251"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12237"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}