Robson Bight Warden Program

The Robson Bight Warden Program operates on the waters surrounding the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve (RBMBER) on northeastern Vancouver Island. The Reserve offers a rare respite for the whales, as well as a unique opportunity for researchers to observe them, and serves to protect a pristine estuary and shoreline. It is an area of unique importance for the whales where they come to the pebble beaches in the Reserve to rub, a vital behaviour that is not yet fully understood by researchers.

Cetus's wardens patrol the perimeter of the Reserve and ensure no unauthorized vessels enter it. 

The wardens monitor vessel activity in the vicinity of whales in Johnstone Strait to prevent vessel-whale incidents and ensure boaters understand the Be Whale Wise guidelines and the boundaries of the Reserve.  From 1991 – 1999 the program was operated by Bion Research Inc. Subsequently, Beaveridge Contracting operated the program from 2000 – 2002. The Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Centre Society (JSKWICS) operated the program in 2003 and 2004. Cetus Research & Conservation Society has operated the warden program since 2005.