Whale and dolphin watching has become one of the most popular tourist experiences in destinations such as the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. However, a recent study by researchers Chaitanya Suárez-Rojas, Yen E. Lam-González and Juan Carlos Martín, from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), warns about the dangers of an irresponsible management of this activity, which can become a real threat to marine species and their habitat.
Published in The Conversation España, the study analyses the profile of the tourists who take part in these excursions and reveals a worrying fact: more than half of the visitors did not originally plan this type of experience. They are ‘casual observers’ attracted by spectacular images in tourist brochures, with unrealistic expectations that can lead to inappropriate demands, such as getting too close to the animals or expecting unusual behaviour.
‘The problem is not the activity itself, but how it is promoted and managed,’ the study says. The consequences of poor practice include stress to the cetaceans, disruption of their resting or feeding patterns and, in extreme cases, disorientation caused by the noise of boats. All this contradicts the educational and sustainable spirit that should guide marine ecotourism.
The report also identifies a more respectful profile among those tourists with previous sighting experience, who value aspects such as the safety of the boat, the quality of the environmental interpretation and the educational content. It also highlights the decisive role of children in the experience: when they are well informed and satisfied, so are their families.
When children are on board, the dynamics change.
Researchers have found that young children not only enjoy the contact with nature intensely, but also act as catalysts for environmental responsibility within the family group. Parents tend to be more receptive to conservation messages when they perceive that their children are learning and enjoying themselves. ‘If children leave with a smile on their face and a sense of having learned something, the adult considers it a success,’ the study notes.
In addition, children are often very sensitive to the stories and explanations of the staff on board, making them an ideal audience for promoting early awareness of marine environmental protection. Incorporating age-appropriate interpretive activities – such as games, stories or visual materials – not only enhances the experience, but also strengthens the emotional bond with marine life, something that can have a long-term impact.
To reduce the impact on cetaceans, the researchers recommend an urgent review of the way these experiences are communicated, promoting realistic images and educational messages. They also suggest incorporating technological tools, such as hydrophones for passive localisation of the animals, which would reduce navigation time and enrich the sensory experience without the need to get too close to the groups.
In terms of regulation, the study reminds us that there are mandatory minimum distances for observing these animals – which vary depending on the country and the species – and that non-compliance can lead to fines of up to 30,000 euros in the case of Spain. However, in many cases the regulations are unknown or ignored by operators or tourists.
The European project TWINNEDbySTARS, which promotes the development of innovative tourism products in the Atlantic outermost regions, echoes these conclusions. “Promoting a responsible nautical tourism model is not an option, it is a necessity. This study provides us with fundamental keys to move towards safer, more educational and sustainable experiences for all”, stresses the project coordination team.
The full article is available on The Conversation España, and forms part of the growing debate on the balance between tourism, conservation and economic development in protected marine areas.