Recent Advances in Whale-watching Research: 2019–2020

Interactions between whale‐watching vessels and cetaceans have raised questions regarding the sustainability of whale‐watching. This study aimed to build a model for managing whale‐watching activity. The approach involved establishing vessel‐exposure thresholds based on changes in short‐term behavioral responses of southern right whales in the Bahía San Antonio Marine Protected Area of Argentina. The model serves as a source of information for management decision‐making in whale‐watching operations, with an estimated framework for the maximum carrying capacity dictating the vessel‐exposure level that can be maintained with no significant changes in the whales' activity budgets. The model, based on Markov chains, indicated that surface active behavior was the form most sensitive to the presence of tourism vessels. However, vessel exposure always remained below nonsustainability threshold, defined as the amount of time that a whale could be disturbed by vessels without significantly changing its activity budget. Therefore, the observed changes were biologically insignificant. Thus, whale watching in this area is developing with minimal impact on southern right whales. An understanding of the exposure thresholds is essential for establishing management strategies that enable sustainable whale watching. This approach is crucial for setting limits within a scenario of future growth and reducing activity when demand exceeds the carrying capacity.

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Getting More Businesslike with Whale Watching: Lessons Learned from Business Organizational Culture to Support Effective Cetacean Tourism Management

Scarpaci,

Parsons

2024

Tourism in Marine Environments

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The foundational research findings in cetacean tourism (whale watching, swim-with-cetacean tourism and in dolphinaria) remain consistent and abundant - science indicates the industry is not as benign as many would suggest with a multitude of studies showing impacts upon cetacean populations (see reviews in Gleason & Parsons, 2019; Gray, Machernis et al., 2018; Schuler & Parsons 2022; Parsons 2012; Parsons & Brown, 2017, 2018; Parsons & Scarpaci, 2010, 2016; Parsons & Smith, 2018; Parsons, Lewandowski, & Lück, 2006; Parsons, Lück, & Lewandowski, 2006; Scarpaci, Parsons, & Lück, 2008a, 2008b; Scarpaci & Parsons, 2012a, 2012b,2, 2014, 2015) as summarised in Table One. Moreover, management strategies implemented to mitigate risk of harm to target species are generally non-effective due to absence of statutory regulation, low compliance with guidelines, and lack of enforcement of regulations (Amerson & Parsons, 2018; Cunningham-Smith et al., 2006; Higham et al., 2009; Kessler & Harcourt, 2013, Scarpaci, Nugegoda & Corkeron, 2003). Research demonstrates threats from activities frequently outweighing the conservation benefits – if any – that accrue. Frequently there are poor levels of education on vessels, and consequently a low likelihood that tourists become more biocentric or conservation-minded, or participate in conservation activities (Gleason & Parsons, 2018).<br><br>This commentary is intended to spark discussion and bring some concepts from successful business management into a discussion of cetacean tourism management. Specifically, it explored the concepts of: (a) vision; (b) risk culture; and (c) stakeholder motivations, as drivers that may influence whether cetacean tourism management strategies are implemented effectively. This is an important conversation, as the intention of management strategies are to reduce risk of harm to cetaceans and improve the sustainability of the industry. This paper will also consider the roles of key stakeholders (scientists, wildlife managers and tourism operators) and the potential ideological and cultural divides between them, with the intention to broaden the thinking on how to better achieve sustainable cetacean tourism.

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Recent Advances in Whale-watching Research: 2019–2020

Cited by 3 publications

References 24 publications

What drives you to the sea? Animal rights, environmental protection and sensation seeking

What drives you to the sea? Animal rights, environmental protection and sensation seeking

Southern right whale behavioral changes due to interactions with whale‐watching vessels: evidence‐based calculations aimed at improving management policies

Getting More Businesslike with Whale Watching: Lessons Learned from Business Organizational Culture to Support Effective Cetacean Tourism Management

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