Dolphin Watching Tour from the Tourists’ Perspective

Condutores turísticos podem exercer um papel relevante para o desenvolvimento sustentável do ecoturismo, sendo responsáveis pela condução dos turistas durante a visitação, promoção da sensibilização ambiental e cultural e contribuição no monitoramento de impactos socioambientais no local de visitação. Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever quem são e o que pensam os condutores de embarcações turísticas para observação de botos-cinza (Sotalia guianensis). Para tanto, foi registrada a interação entre condutores turísticos e turistas durante 22 passeios de observação de botos-cinza realizados entre 2014 e 2018 na Reserva de Fauna Costeira de Tibau do Sul (REFAUTS), Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. Adicionalmente, 22 questionários foram aplicados aos condutores de embarcações turísticas na REFAUTS, em maio de 2017 e julho de 2018. Durante os 22 passeios monitorados, os turistas não receberam qualquer informação sobre a REFAUTS ou receberam informação insuficiente sobre a biologia e ecologia de botos-cinza. De acordo com as respostas obtidas nos questionários, condutores turísticos da REFAUTS são predominantemente jovens, com nível de escolaridade fundamental e têm esta atividade como principal fonte de renda. Estes condutores declararam trabalhar na REFAUTS há pelo menos sete anos e ter conhecimento insuficiente sobre a existência desta Reserva. Uma parte significativa destes profissionais também declarou desconhecer a Lei Municipal nº 349/2007, que regulamenta o transporte marítimo na REFAUTS. Contudo, estes condutores declararam reconhecer a importância dos seguintes aspectos ambientais para a REFAUTS: boto-cinza, ambiente marinho protegido, normas de conduta, programa de fiscalização e cobrança da taxa turística para a REFAUTS. Os resultados deste estudo poderão subsidiar programas de educação ambiental voltados para os condutores turísticos, tornando-os importantes aliados na conservação de botos-cinza e agentes multiplicadores no processo de sensibilização ambiental de turistas na REFAUTS. Who are and what think the guiana dolphin-watching operators? Tour operators can play a relevant role in the sustainable development of ecotourism, being responsible for driving tourists during the visitation, promoting environmental and cultural awareness and contributing to the monitoring of social-environmental impacts in the place of visitation. This study aimed to describe who are and what think the Guiana dolphin-watching operators. We recorded the interaction between dolphin-watching operators and tourists during 22 tours conducted between 2014 and 2018 in the Coastal Wildlife Reserve of Tibau do Sul (REFAUTS), Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. In addition, 22 questionnaires were applied to dolphin-watching operators at the REFAUTS in May 2017 and July 2018. During the 22 tours monitored, tourists did not receive any information about the REFAUTS or received insufficient information about the biology and ecology of Guiana dophin (Sotalia guianensis). According to the answers obtained in the questionnaires, dolphin-watching operators are predominantly young, with elementary scholarly and have this activity as the main source of income. These dolphin-watching operators reported that they have worked in the REFAUTS for at least seven years and that they have insufficient knowledge about the existence of this Reserve. A significant number of these professionals also reported that they do not know the Municipal Law no 349/2007, which regulates maritime transport at the REFAUTS. However, these dolphin-watching operators reported that they recognize the importance of the following environmental aspects for the REFAUTS: Guiana dolphin, protected marine area, codes of conduct, inspection program and tourist tax for the REFAUTS. The results of this study may subsidize environmental education programs for dolphin-watching operators, making them important partners in the conservation of Guiana dolphin and multipliers in the process of environmental awareness of tourists in the REFAUTS. KEYWORDS: Dolphin; Environmental Perception; Environmental Planning; Pipa Beach; Dolphin-Watching.

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Distance does matter: close approaches by boats impede feeding and resting behaviour of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr11048 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 455 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Andre Steckenreuter ◽

Robert Harcourt ◽

Luciana Möller

Keyword(s):

Bottlenose Dolphins ◽

Tourism Industry ◽

Empirical Measures ◽

Resting Behaviour ◽

South Wales ◽

Animal Populations ◽

Conflicting Objectives ◽

Dolphin Population ◽

Direction Of Movement ◽

Dolphin Watching

Context Potential impacts of human disturbance on animal populations can be measured as behavioural responses and may affect the survival and fecundity of animals. In areas where human–wildlife interactions occur, conservation management needs to be in place to secure both a viable tourism industry and the sustainability of the targeted species. Aims We sought to evaluate whether different approach distances by boat have effects on the behaviour and group cohesion of dolphins that are targeted by Australia’s largest dolphin-watching industry. Methods The effects of different approach distances of boats on the behavioural states of dolphins, group dispersal and direction of movement were investigated in this area by controlled boat experiments conducted between August 2008 and December 2009. Key results Results showed that there was significantly less feeding when boats approached dolphin groups to a distance of 50 m than when they did to a distance of 150 m, or with controlled approaches. Resting was also observed significantly less when boats approached to a distance of 50 m than when they approached to a distance of 150 m. The dispersal of dolphin groups was significantly tighter (less dispersed) when boats approached to 50 m than that with 150-m-distance or controlled approaches. Furthermore, the dolphins’ direction of movement was less neutral when the experimental boat approaches were carried out at a distance of 50 m than when they were carried out at a distance of 150 m, or with controlled approaches. Similar results were also obtained for dolphin groups including calves. Conclusions On the basis of the results from this study, we recommend that the existing New South Wales regulations, which stipulate that dolphin-watching boats keep a distance of 50 m to groups with adults only and 150 m to groups with calves, are maintained within the Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park (PSGLMP). Implications Management plans whose stated goals include both sustainability of a dolphin-watching industry and longer-term viability of a dolphin population may reconcile conflicting objectives and improve their decision making by using these empirical measures rather than best guesses.

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Tourist satisfaction and expenditures in a reef-adjoining dolphin watching industry in Lovina, Bali Indonesia

Coral Reefs: Tourism, Conservation and Management ◽

10.4324/9781315537320-13 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 184-197

Author(s):

Putu L. Mustika ◽

Riccardo Welters ◽

Naneng Setiasih

Keyword(s):

Tourist Satisfaction ◽

Dolphin Watching

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Dolphin watching tourists in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: knowledge and conservation

Ocean & Coastal Management ◽

10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105325 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 198 ◽

pp. 105325

Author(s):

Marina Consuli Tischer ◽

Alexandre Schiavetti ◽

Flávio José de Lima Silva ◽

José Martins da Silva Júnior

Keyword(s):

Fernando De Noronha ◽

Dolphin Watching

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Complete Guide to Finding the Mammals of Australia

10.1071/9780643098152 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David Andrew

Keyword(s):

Wild Mammal ◽

Recent Growth ◽

In The Wild ◽

Field Workers ◽

Available Information ◽

First Time ◽

Biological Field ◽

Dolphin Watching

Australia has a rich and unique array of animals, including the largest diversity of marsupials on earth. The recent growth in ecotourism has increased the popularity of mammal-spotting, particularly whale and dolphin-watching, but also spotting of perennial tourist favourites such as koalas and kangaroos. Birdwatchers have for many years known of sites where special or difficult-to-see species may be reliably located. However, despite their comparative abundance and spectacular diversity, many of Australia's unique mammals remain under-appreciated because there has been little available information on where to see them – until now. For the first time ever, The Complete Guide to Finding the Mammals of Australia advises interested amateurs and professionals where to locate many of Australia's mammals. The book describes Australia's best mammal-watching sites state-by-state. It also includes a complete, annotated taxonomic list with hints on finding each species (or why it won't be easy to see); sections on travel and logistics in Australia; and appendices with hints on finding and photographing mammals. This book will be of interest to anyone wanting to observe or photograph Australian mammals in the wild, mammal enthusiasts, biological field workers and volunteers, tourists and ecotourists.

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A Study on the Impacts of Dolphin Watching as a Tourism Activity: Western Mauritius as Case Study

International Journal of Trade Economics and Finance ◽

10.7763/ijtef.2015.v6.445 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 67-72 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gowreesunkar Gaitree ◽

Rycha Ian

Keyword(s):

Tourism Activity ◽

Dolphin Watching

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Nautical tourism affects common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus M.) foraging success in a NATURA 2000 site, North-Eastern Adriatic Sea

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.24475 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

DARJA RIBARIC ◽

JACK CLARKSON

Keyword(s):

West Coast ◽

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Best Practice ◽

Bottlenose Dolphins ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Common Bottlenose Dolphin ◽

Key Species ◽

Natura 2000 Site ◽

Dolphin Watching

Several studies indicate that unregulated nautical tourism can have negative implications on cetacean behaviour. In recent years, dolphin watching activities (DWA) have increased off the West coast of Istria, Croatia, a region in which the NATURA 2000 site: ‘Akvatorij zapadne Istre’ has been proposed to be designated for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus M.). For data collected between 2016 and 2019, we compared dolphin group behaviours from this region during impact (presence of nautical tourism boats (NTBs)) and control (absence of NTBs) scenarios, as well as providing descriptive analysis on the displacement of individuals in the presence of NTBs. Throughout the study years, 48.5 % of NTBs were observed within 15m of the dolphin focal groups and 97 % were observed within 50 m distance. The greatest rates of displacement in dolphin focal groups occurred when NTB numbers were greatest per individual dolphin. Markov chain analysis were used to quantify the short-term effects of NTB presence on dolphin behaviour. In the presence of NTBs, dolphins were more likely to spend time milling and less time foraging. Cumulative behavioural budgets, derived by accounting for the time bottlenose dolphins spent in the presence or absence of NTBs, indicated that vessel exposure levels of 14 % and 25 % were enough to statistically affect milling and foraging behaviours respectively. To lessen the lack of sustainable DWA, the implementation of relevant guidelines, e.g. Global Best Practice Guidance for Responsible Whale and Dolphin Watching (50 m no approach and 300 m caution zone) is therefore crucial to mitigate any long-term consequences the actions of NTBs may have on this key species. To date, 162 bottlenose dolphins have been photo-identified off West coast of Istria and cumulative interference to this population could affect direct ecosystem functioning.

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Dolphin-Watching Boats Affect Whistle Frequency Modulation in Bottlenose Dolphins

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.618420 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Betzi Perez-Ortega ◽

Rebecca Daw ◽

Brennan Paradee ◽

Emma Gimbrere ◽

Laura J. May-Collado

Keyword(s):

Bottlenose Dolphins ◽

Emotional States ◽

National Guidelines ◽

Bocas Del Toro ◽

System A ◽

Potential Association ◽

Boat Traffic ◽

A Site ◽

Signature Whistle ◽

Dolphin Watching

Bottlenose dolphins’ whistles are key in social communication, conveying information about conspecifics and the environment. Therefore, their study can help to infer habitat use and identify areas of concern due to human activities. Here we studied the whistles of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in two sites of the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, Panama, that contrast in boat traffic. Almirante Bay is a site dominated by taxi-boats and Dolphin Bay is a major location for boat-based dolphin watching. Recordings were made using bottom-mounted hydrophones and from the research boat using an over-the-side hydrophone and a broadband recording system. A total recording effort time of 1,726 h was analyzed. Our results show significant differences in boat detection between sites, and a higher number of whistles detected per minute in the site with tour-boat traffic. Furthermore, whistle modulation accounted for most of the differences between sites, boat presence, and whistle types. Dolphin whistle modulation is thought to be a potential indicator of emotional states including danger, alertness, and stress. In this study, dolphin signature whistle modulation increased significantly with boat presence in both sites but changes in modulation were greater in Dolphin Bay where tour-boats directly and sometimes aggressively interact with the animals. These results support a potential association between whistle modulation and stress (or alertness). These findings indicate that if tour-boat captains behave more like taxi-boat captains by e.g., reducing the distance of approach and contact time during dolphin interactions, dolphin communication, and emotional state would be less disrupted. These measures are implemented in the national guidelines for whale-watching and are known to tour-boat operators. The key to protecting these dolphins is in finding ways to effectively enforce these operator guidelines.

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