When the topic of whale watching is discussed, many ideas and concepts come to mind. However, sustainability is not necessarily one of them. Quite the opposite: criticism predominates when it comes to whale and dolphin watching. And rightly so, but there is another way.
Whale Watching Experience in Liguria – An Experience Report by Stefany Seipp, founder of Green Pearls®
«Every time we have been to Imperia over the last few years, we have thought about booking a tour with the whale watching boat. Two different hearts beat in my chest: the first wants to avoid disturbing the animals as much as possible, and the second wishes to learn more about these marine creatures that are worth protecting. This year, curiosity prevailed and we signed up for a tour on the 2nd of July 2023. This was led by a marine biologist who shared a wealth of information with us on the trip to the marine reserve.»
Good to know: The marine and whale sanctuary off the Ligurian coast has existed since 1991 and covers an area of around 100 square kilometres. It extends to the French coast and forms almost a square with the islands of Sardinia, Corsica, and the Italian coast. The area has enormous biodiversity, with zooplankton and phytoplankton and over 8500 large animal species, including various whales and dolphins. In Italian, the marine protected area is called Santuario dei Cetacei – Sanctuary of the Whales.
After barely 30 minutes of sailing, a large group of dolphins swam alongside and delighted everyone with their jumps and antics. They enjoyed jumping and diving up close to the boat again and again. A manta ray was also curious enough to approach us, and we marvelled at a turtle in its natural habitat.
The further out we went, the more excited we became to spot some whales finally. The boat turned, and the engine was eased down as we slowly entered the 5-mile zone of the sanctuary.
The tension continued to rise. Sure enough, whales were sighted just before they dived again. The captain turned off the engine, and we waited. The marine biologist quietly explained that they were Cuvier’s beaked whales, which can stay underwater for up to 45 minutes. The Cuvier’s beaked whale is the most common species of beaked whale. It was named after its discoverer, the naturalist Georges Cuvier, who first identified the unknown animal in 1823.
After about 50 minutes of waiting and silence on board, they reappeared near the boat and slowly swam past us.
Criticism of Whale Watching
Whale watching has developed into a multi-million-dollar industry within tourism in recent decades, especially since the worldwide ban on whaling. In principle, it should be welcomed that money can be earned by observing living whales, says the WWF. The tourism industry has at least partially offset the loss of fishing jobs.
Whale-watching tours and getting to know the marine mammals in their natural habitat also increase travellers’ awareness and inspire them to become more involved in environmental and marine protection. 
However, the economic boom surrounding the whales has not been without consequences. In addition to reputable operators concerned about animal welfare, several operators want to offer tourists the experience without any respect for the animals. The marine mammals are harassed, cornered and sometimes chased or injured by collisions with boats. Behavioural disorders and injuries are often the results. The boats’ noise also disturbs the marine animals’ communication, which can lead to disorientation and further changes in behaviour.
Regulations for Whale Watching? Not a chance!
There are no compulsory international regulations for whale-watching tour operators. Although various guidelines are published by animal protection organizations or the International Whaling Commission (IWC), none are mandatory. For the Mediterranean region, however, travellers can use the certificate of ACCOBAMS, an association of the Mediterranean and Black Sea states for protecting whales and dolphins, as a guide.
How to do it Differently: Sustainable and Respectful Whale Watching.
The most animal- and the environmentally-friendly way is whale watching from land. This is easily possible in some places, such as the coasts of Canada and South Africa and partly on Sylt – provided you travel there during the whale season. When whale watching from a boat, there are a few things that travellers can find out before booking to decide whether the provider in question operates in an animal-friendly way.
These include, for example, whether trained professionals are on board to educate tourists about the whales’ behaviour. Combining tourist tours and research (counting, reporting sightings, natural history excursions, etc.) is also a good sign. During this time, the boat should keep a minimum distance of about 100 metres from the whales or dolphins, switch off the engines and wait to see if the animals approach on their own. Feeding and touching are just as much a no-go as following or chasing groups.
Conclusion: It is possible to make it sustainable
Whale-watching tours have positive and negative effects that travellers should be aware of. Due to the lack of regulations, however, it is of particular importance that tourists are mindful of their responsibility when choosing an activity. Labels and certificates offer some guidance. However, these should be verified in advance. A look at the ratings also gives interested parties information about the actual behaviour of the providers on the water. When in doubt, staying on land and trying your luck from there is always more animal-friendly.
