{"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":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-12234\" data-postid=\"12234\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-12234 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_z66d134 tb_first tf_w\">\n            <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_a568134 first\">\n                    <!-- module plain text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-plain-text tb_br80597\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h1 style=\"color: white; text-align: center;\">FAQ Shelltone Whale Project<\/h1>\n\n<p class=\"faq-subtitle\" style=\"color: white; text-align: center;\">\nTout ce que vous devez savoir sur Shelltone, l'observation respectueuse des baleines et les prestataires que nous avons s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9s.\n<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module plain text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_b8nk393 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_avul393 first\">\n                    <!-- module plain text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-plain-text tb_h77w171\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <section class=\"shelltone-faq\">\n\n<h2>1. Qu'est-ce que le Shelltone Whale Project ?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Shelltone Whale Project est une association de d\u00e9fense de l'environnement fond\u00e9e en 1981 qui d\u00e9veloppe un r\u00e9seau mondial d'op\u00e9rateurs d'observation des baleines s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9s pour leur approche respectueuse des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n<p>Son approche s'appuie sur plusieurs d\u00e9cennies d'exp\u00e9rience sur le terrain et de recherche sur les interactions entre les humains et les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s, ainsi que sur la mise au point de m\u00e9thodes d'observation non intrusives con\u00e7ues pour minimiser les perturbations et permettre aux animaux de rester libres dans leur milieu naturel.<\/p>\n\n<p>Aujourd'hui, Shelltone applique ces principes pour s\u00e9lectionner des op\u00e9rateurs d'observation des baleines \u00e0 travers le monde et aider les voyageurs \u00e0 opter pour des modes d'observation plus respectueux des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>2. Qu'est-ce qu'une observation respectueuse des baleines ?<\/h2>\n\n<p>L'observation respectueuse des baleines consiste \u00e0 observer les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s sans forcer une interaction ni perturber leur comportement naturel.<\/p>\n\n<p>Le navire maintient une distance de s\u00e9curit\u00e9, s'approche lentement et parall\u00e8lement \u00e0 la direction de d\u00e9placement des animaux, ne les poursuit ni ne les intercepte jamais, et laisse aux c\u00e9tac\u00e9s le soin de d\u00e9terminer la distance qu'ils souhaitent maintenir.<\/p>\n\n<p>Cela implique \u00e9galement de savoir quand ne pas s\u2019approcher. Il faut laisser tranquilles les m\u00e8res accompagn\u00e9es de leurs petits, les groupes de jeunes, les animaux en train de se nourrir et les groupes en p\u00e9riode d\u2019accouplement. Shelltone appelle ce principe la \u2019 renonciation positive \u00bb : choisir de ne pas s\u2019approcher lorsque l\u2019observation risquerait de perturber le comportement naturel des animaux.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>3. Comment Shelltone s\u00e9lectionne-t-il les op\u00e9rateurs proposant des excursions d'observation des baleines ?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Shelltone s\u00e9lectionne les op\u00e9rateurs d'observation des baleines en fonction de leur engagement envers la Charte Shelltone et d'une \u00e9valuation de leur approche globale vis-\u00e0-vis des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n<p>La Charte \u00e9tablit des r\u00e8gles de base claires : une distance minimale de 100 m\u00e8tres, une vitesse d'approche maximale de 5 n\u0153uds, l'interdiction d'utiliser des sonars ou des sondeurs pour localiser les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s, l'interdiction de poursuivre ou d'intercepter les animaux, l'interdiction de s'approcher des groupes de cr\u00e8che, et une dur\u00e9e maximale d'observation de 45 minutes avec un m\u00eame groupe.<\/p>\n\n<p>Au-del\u00e0 de ces r\u00e8gles, Shelltone prend en compte l\u2019attitude g\u00e9n\u00e9rale de l\u2019op\u00e9rateur, la qualit\u00e9 des conseils prodigu\u00e9s \u00e0 bord et sa capacit\u00e9 \u00e0 reconna\u00eetre quand le fait de ne pas s\u2019approcher constitue la d\u00e9cision la plus respectueuse.<\/p>\n\n<p>Seuls les op\u00e9rateurs qui r\u00e9pondent \u00e0 ces crit\u00e8res sont s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9s par le Shelltone Whale Project.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>4. Qu'est-ce qu'un op\u00e9rateur s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9 par Shelltone ?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Un \u00ab op\u00e9rateur s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9 par Shelltone \u00bb est un op\u00e9rateur sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9 dans l'observation des baleines qui a \u00e9t\u00e9 \u00e9valu\u00e9 et s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9 par le Shelltone Whale Project pour son engagement en faveur d'interactions respectueuses avec les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n<p>La s\u00e9lection implique le respect de la Charte Shelltone et tient \u00e9galement compte du comportement global de l\u2019op\u00e9rateur en mer, de la qualit\u00e9 des conseils prodigu\u00e9s \u00e0 bord, ainsi que de sa capacit\u00e9 \u00e0 reconna\u00eetre que le fait de ne pas s\u2019approcher constitue la d\u00e9cision la plus respectueuse.<\/p>\n\n<p>Le statut \u00ab Shelltone Selected \u00bb n'est ni une certification payante ni un label publicitaire. Il permet d'identifier les op\u00e9rateurs qui r\u00e9pondent aux crit\u00e8res de s\u00e9lection d\u00e9finis par le Shelltone Whale Project.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>5. Qu'est-ce que la Charte Shelltone ?<\/h2>\n\n<p>La Charte Shelltone constitue le cadre qui d\u00e9finit les pratiques que l'association Shelltone Whale Project consid\u00e8re comme respectueuses lors de l'approche et de l'observation des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s en mer.<\/p>\n\n<p>Fruit de plusieurs d\u00e9cennies d'exp\u00e9rience sur le terrain et de recherches sur les interactions entre les humains et les c\u00e9tac\u00e9s, ce code \u00e9tablit des r\u00e8gles claires visant \u00e0 r\u00e9duire au minimum les perturbations et \u00e0 permettre aux c\u00e9tac\u00e9s de conserver leur libert\u00e9 de comportement naturel.<\/p>\n\n<p>Cette charte constitue l'un des crit\u00e8res sur lesquels Shelltone se base pour s\u00e9lectionner les op\u00e9rateurs d'observation des baleines. Chaque op\u00e9rateur s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9 par Shelltone s'engage \u00e0 respecter ses principes.<\/p>\n\n<p>La charte compl\u00e8te de Shelltone est accessible au public sur le site web de Shelltone Whale Project.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>6. Comment Shelltone s'assure-t-elle que les op\u00e9rateurs qu'elle a s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9s continuent de respecter ses normes ?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Le statut \u00ab Shelltone Selected \u00bb n'est pas d\u00e9finitif.<\/p>\n\n<p>Les op\u00e9rateurs sont tenus de continuer \u00e0 respecter la Charte Shelltone ainsi que les principes sur la base desquels ils ont \u00e9t\u00e9 initialement s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9s. Shelltone reste attentive \u00e0 leurs pratiques et peut r\u00e9examiner le cas d\u2019un op\u00e9rateur d\u00e8s lors que de nouvelles informations soul\u00e8vent des questions quant \u00e0 son approche vis-\u00e0-vis des c\u00e9tac\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n<p>Si un op\u00e9rateur ne r\u00e9pond plus aux normes de Shelltone, il peut \u00eatre exclu du r\u00e9seau.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>7. Un op\u00e9rateur peut-il payer pour devenir \u00ab Shelltone Selected \u00bb ?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Non. Un op\u00e9rateur ne peut pas payer pour devenir \u00ab Shelltone Selected \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n<p>La s\u00e9lection repose exclusivement sur le respect, par l'op\u00e9rateur, de la Charte Shelltone et des crit\u00e8res d'\u00e9valuation de Shelltone.<\/p>\n\n<p>Les op\u00e9rateurs ne paient ni cotisation, ni frais de certification, ni frais d'inscription pour \u00eatre s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9s ou mis en avant sur le site web Shelltone Whale Project.<\/p>\n\n<p>Shelltone peut percevoir une commission lorsqu'un voyageur r\u00e9serve une excursion via son site web, mais cette relation commerciale est distincte du processus de s\u00e9lection et n'influence en rien le choix de l'op\u00e9rateur.<\/p>\n\n<p>Un op\u00e9rateur qui ne r\u00e9pond plus aux normes de Shelltone peut \u00eatre exclu du r\u00e9seau.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>8. Est-ce que r\u00e9server via Shelltone co\u00fbte plus cher que de r\u00e9server directement aupr\u00e8s de l'op\u00e9rateur ?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Non. R\u00e9server via Shelltone Whale Project ne co\u00fbte pas plus cher que de r\u00e9server directement aupr\u00e8s de l'op\u00e9rateur. Le prix est identique.<\/p>\n\n<p>Les r\u00e9servations effectu\u00e9es via le site web de Shelltone utilisent le calendrier de r\u00e9servation et le syst\u00e8me de paiement propres \u00e0 l'op\u00e9rateur s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9. Le paiement est vers\u00e9 directement \u00e0 l'op\u00e9rateur ; Shelltone ne g\u00e8re pas l'argent du voyageur.<\/p>\n\n<p>En r\u00e9servant via Shelltone, les voyageurs soutiennent le projet sans payer de frais suppl\u00e9mentaires.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module plain text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/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":"<h1 style=\"color: white; text-align: center;\">Shelltone Whale Project FAQ<\/h1>\n<p style=\"color: white; text-align: center;\"> Everything you need to know about Shelltone, respectful whale watching and our selected operators. <\/p>\n<section>\n<h2>1. What is the Shelltone Whale Project?<\/h2>\n<p>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<p>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<p>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<h2>2. What is respectful whale watching?<\/h2>\n<p>Respectful whale watching means observing cetaceans without forcing an interaction or disrupting their natural behavior.<\/p>\n<p>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<p>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<h2>3. How does Shelltone select whale watching operators?<\/h2>\n<p>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<p>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<p>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<p>Only operators that meet these criteria are selected by the Shelltone Whale Project.<\/p>\n<h2>4. What is a Shelltone Selected Operator?<\/h2>\n<p>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<p>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<p>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<h2>5. What is the Shelltone Charter?<\/h2>\n<p>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<p>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<p>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<p>The full Shelltone Charter is publicly available on the Shelltone Whale Project website.<\/p>\n<h2>6. How does Shelltone ensure its selected operators continue to meet its standards?<\/h2>\n<p>Shelltone Selected status is not permanent.<\/p>\n<p>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<p>If an operator no longer meets Shelltone's standards, it can be removed from the network.<\/p>\n<h2>7. Can an operator pay to become Shelltone Selected?<\/h2>\n<p>No. An operator cannot pay to become Shelltone Selected.<\/p>\n<p>Selection is based solely on the operator's compliance with the Shelltone Charter and Shelltone's evaluation criteria.<\/p>\n<p>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<p>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<p>An operator that no longer meets Shelltone's standards can be removed from the network.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Does booking through Shelltone cost more than booking directly with the operator?<\/h2>\n<p>No. Booking through the Shelltone Whale Project does not cost more than booking directly with the operator. The price is the same.<\/p>\n<p>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<p>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}]}}