Whale watching: what is at stake for conservation

The global phenomenon of whale watching is growing. According to the most recent statistics, nine million people went whale watching in 1998, most of them from aboard a vessel of some kind. They spent one billion U.S. dollars in a total of 87 countries. This activity is often touted as ecotourism, representing as it does an exceptional opportunity to turn these legendary animals into ambassadors for the protection of the marine environment. Yet, there is growing concern about what effects boats may have on cetaceans.

In response to these concerns, ccodes of ethics, guides of proper conduct and regulations have been put in place almost everywhere whale-watching cruises take place. In 1997, even the International Whaling Commission (IWC) adopted general principles to supervise whale watching on a global scale.

All of these directives have been inspired by the experience of ship captains and researchers working at sea with whales and, occasionally, by scientific studies that have documented what disturbs the whales. However, the devising of these studies poses many challenges: the results are often difficult to interpret and response varies according to species, time of year, activity of the whale and so forth. For these reasons, the IWC recommends that rules and codes of conduct be progressive; they must be adaptable to new information, as it becomes available.

There is still some question as to whether short-term behavioural changes lead to long-term impacts on whales. Is whale watching truly a conservation issue? At the request of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland whale researcher Jon Lien prepared a document on the subject in 2000. He sounded the alarm; what characterizes cetaceans also renders them vulnerable to disturbance. Many whale populations are still fragile and major and rapid changes in their environment are taking place. These animals depend on the critical habitats where they tend to gather. Whale-watching activities also tend to concentrate in these same areas. Disturbance then becomes repetitive and effects can be cumulative, which can eventually affect their health and thus their chances of survival and reproduction.

Caution is therefore required. Everything must be done to respect the whales and avoid disrupting their essential activities. The ongoing survival of these fascinating animals and the riverside communities that live in rhythm with them may depend on it.

Do boats disturb whales?