What the AROC is
AROC is the Spanish acronym for the Recreational Cetacean Watching Activity. It is the authorisation that allows a vessel to approach whales and dolphins to watch them in Spanish waters.
It is granted by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. Its legal basis is Royal Decree 1727/2007, the state rule that protects cetaceans from disturbance.
It is not a mere formality. Without this authorisation, a vessel cannot legally dedicate itself to watching cetaceans. It is the gateway to carrying out this activity the way it should be done.
What it means when you sail with us
Our two sailboats, Aemón and Ayla, are authorised. They appear on the state list of vessels that may watch cetaceans.
For you that is an underlying guarantee. It means you are sailing with someone who follows the rules of the game, not someone who dodges them.
The authorisation goes hand in hand with a way of behaving. It requires us to approach slowly, to keep our distance and not to chase or disturb the animals. It fits with what we already believe: the sea is not a stage and cetaceans do not perform on demand.
Heading out with small groups reinforces all this. A calm boat, without crowds, disturbs less and shows more respect for the environment the law seeks to protect.
How to check that a vessel is authorised
AROC authorisation is not proven by word of mouth. There is an official list of authorised vessels managed by the authorities.
Anyone can ask whether a boat appears on it before boarding. It is a simple way to know whether a company complies with the cetacean protection rules.
We comply and we have nothing to hide. We would rather you knew: sailing legally and respectfully is part of who we are, not an extra added at the end.
