Watch - Don't touch
Code of conduct : Responsible Wildlife Watching
At the 8th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biodiversity, the Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species in cooperation with TUI AG launched a report on “Wildlife Watching and Tourism” ? A study on the benefits and risks of a fast growing tourism activity and its impact on species. The report, written by Richard Tapper, comes to the conclusion that Wildlife Watching tourism can make important contributions to community development and conservation by raising awareness of the animals observed and their habitats, by creating revenues for conservation, and by creating jobs and income for local communities. At the same time this activity needs to be carefully planned and managed by government agencies, the tourism sector and conservation managers to avoid negative impacts. The report presents 12 case studies, including watching gorillas, whales, whale sharks, penguins and the monarch butterfly.
The whole report can be downloaded here
Watching Dolphins
Wildlife watching as form of non lethal use of wildlife can generate substantial financial revenues for local communities and the private sector and contribute to conservation efforts. This is certainly true for whale and dolphin watching, an activity that is one of these “once in a lifetime” experiences.
In recent years, whale and dolphin watching has increased substantially all over the world. Over 50 countries offer whale and dolphin-watching trips. These trips are all very different. You can choose from a host of different vessels, ranging from huge cruise ships to small yachts and catamarans. You can even paddle your own kayak! It is also possible to watch whales and dolphins from the land (perfect for those who want to avoid seasickness).
Most people, however, opt for a boat trip of some description. You may find that up to a dozen or more companies offer trips from the same harbour and it can be difficult to know which one to choose. It is tempting to believe that all operators offer much the same experience but in fact, this is not always the case. It is important to recognise that a good whale and dolphin watching trip is one which is not only enjoyable, educational and safe for the passengers but also treats the whales and dolphins being watched with care and respect, and this means the minimum of intrusion.
Here are some guidelines for selecting a good whale and dolphin watching trip. Before you book a trip or buy tickets for a certain boat, ask for an information leaflet, read display boards or ask questions at the booking office. Make sure that you are happy with what is on offer before you actually buy a ticket or board the vessel.
A GOOD W/W OPERATOR WILL:
Put the animals first:
This means careful and responsible boat handling. It is sometimes easy to forget that we are uninvited guests in the whales' world and we are privileged to see them. We have a responsibility to cause as little disturbance as possible. It is always tempting to try to get as close as possible to the whales and dolphins, especially if you are trying to take photographs. But remember that these are truly wild animals and constant disturbance can seriously affect their ability to feed, rest and rear their young. Imagine how you would feel if a coach-load of tourists descended on your living room and expected to photograph your family having Sunday lunch! In fact, careful and considerate behaviour around the whales and dolphins usually results in much longer encounters with them, and the added bonus of observing their natural behaviour. Fleeing whales and dolphins are no fun to watch!
Follow regulations governing W/W in their area:
In some parts of the world, there are specific regulations governing whale and dolphin watching, (specifying minimum approach distances, etc.) with legal enforcement. However, in many other areas, the regulations are not adequately enforced, or there may be a code of conduct, but no means of enforcing this, relying on the goodwill of participating operators. Worse still, there are areas where whale and dolphin watching is a "free for all" with nothing to prevent irresponsible operators from continually harassing the whales and dolphins in an attempt to get their passengers close to the whales as quickly as possible.
It is a good idea to find out whether any regulations or voluntary codes apply in the area before you board the boat. Ask the operator questions to show that you are aware of applicable regulations and don't be afraid to speak up if you feel that a boat captain is not behaving responsibly and putting the needs of the animals first.
Have adequate safety provisions:
A safe whale-watch boat should have: an experienced skipper; crew who are well-trained in first aid and rescue skills; appropriate safety equipment (such as VHF radio, good quality lifejackets, flares, inflatable lifeboat, food and water reserves, etc), appropriate insurance; a maximum number of passengers, a tried and tested emergency drill, and a properly prepared safety briefing for all passengers.
Offer high standards of customer care:
This means honest advertising of what passengers can expect from the trip. This may include offering a "sightings success rate" but this should be realistic as, with few exceptions, it is virtually impossible to guarantee sightings on every trip. Every aspect of the trip should be professional, which means a fair ticket price, punctual departures, the vessel should be clean, and the crew friendly and polite. If a trip has to be cancelled due to adverse sea and weather conditions, find out whether there is a policy of refunding fares or offering free places on a future trip.
Have an onboard naturalist-guide:
This is really important and can make the difference between a "run of the mill" trip and a really memorable experience! Choose a vessel which offers some form of educational commentary - preferably both before and during the trip. The larger boats may employ a trained naturalist and this is always preferable, but on the smaller boats, the skipper may also be trained to act as a guide.
A good guide will give you a lively and entertaining commentary on the various species of whales and dolphins you are hoping to see, as well as the other marine wildlife in the area. They will also be knowledgeable about any threats facing local marine wildlife or their habitat. It can be difficult to positively identify a whale or dolphin which is some distance away and here, the trained eyes of the guide will help you to identify that "small black fin to starboard"! The guide will also be able to interpret the behaviour of the whales and dolphins being observed and this can really add to your understanding and enjoyment of the experience.
A really well-rounded commentary may also include slides, posters or maps; recordings of whale songs, and the guide may pass around a photo-id catalogue, depicting local whales and dolphins, samples of baleen, a jawbone, or teeth, for passengers to examine.
Carry out research:
This isn't an essential ingredient for a good whale and dolphin watching trip, but there are several advantages in having a researcher onboard. On some boats, the naturalist-guide may also use the vessel as a platform for their research activities, such as logging sightings and photo-identification studies. Sometimes passengers may be able to assist with simple studies. This adds a new dimension to the experience and is also an excellent way of learning and feeling more involved. A good operator will recognise the need to find out as much as possible about the whales, dolphins and other wildlife in the area. Ongoing research can benefit their business by providing a continually expanding source of knowledge on the local whales and their daily and seasonal movements. Local research institutions may also benefit from receiving a percentage of profits from the whale and dolphin watching business