National Geographic Traveller (UK)
A GUIDE TO E THICAL WHALE TOURISM IN THE 21ST CENTURY
The more we learn about whales, the more fascinating they appear to be. But what role can whale-watching play in their conservation? Words: Emma Gregg
Despite the conservation successes of the 20th century, humans are still hounding some cetaceans to the brink of extinction, either by hunting or carelessness. Six out of the 13 great whale species are classified as endangered or vulnerable. It’s common for beached carcasses to bear scars from collisions with ships, and it’s estimated that more than 300,000 whales and dolphins are killed each year as a result of fisheries’ bycatch.
Unlike most megafauna, whales regularly cross international boundaries as they migrate. As living examples of interconnectedness, it’s apt that nations should unite to protect them and advocate for responsible tourism practices. This is the thinking behind the Whale Heritage Sites, a programme launched by the World Cetacean Alliance in 2016. Its aim is to recognise places where whales, dolphins and porpoises are celebrated and protected through art, education, research, cultural events and sustainable working practices, including wildlife-friendly whale-watching.
The first places to meet the standards required for certification were Hervey Bay in Australia and The Bluff in South Africa. They were joined in 2021 by Dana Point in California and Tenerife-La Gomera in the Canary Islands. At these locations, guidelines are in place to minimise disturbance to the animals and their habitat. For example, skippers approach whales slowly, without hemming them in, and limit each sighting to a maximum of 20 minutes.
Whale-watching fees typically include a donation to a conservation fund. Some outfits also contribute to scientific research: crews and guests add ID photos to a database, expanding knowledge of whale populations and their movements.