Whale Watchers Will Attempt to Write Global Policies

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 2, 2004 (ENS) - It is not whale watching season in South Africa. Only from July to December can whales be seen along South African shores - humpbacks, southern rights, Bryde's whales, orcas - but this week the world's whale watching community is gathering in Cape Town to try to agree on a global whalewatching strategy.

Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Rejoice Mabudafhasi will open the first International Whale Watching Workshop in South Africa on Thursday at the Breakwater Lodge in Cape Town.

A whale surfaces to breathe near the South African coast. (Photo courtesy Cape Info)

The workshop is supported by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and is a first of its kind where scientists and managers meet together at this level to find solutions to issues surrounding sustainable whale watching.

Representatives from 11 countries will be there including - Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

National and international participants will include marine resource and conservation managers from both governmental and nongovernmental organizations and associations.

There will be representatives from universities, the British High Commission and tourism organizations.

Delegates will review the scientific basis for management of whale watching and try to harmonize their various regimes. While all countries agree that the whales should not be chased or cornered between two vessels, other guidelines vary widely.

The United States wants whale watchers to stay at least 30 meters away from the marine mammals, except in the case of the rare Northern right whale, when 457 meters (500 yards) is the proper distance from this species, the U.S. says.

Australia and Brazil say each say their whale watchers should not approach closer than 100 meters to any whale.

Argentina says whale watchers should keep a minimum distance of 100 meters between the vessels and the whale while engines are on; not less than 50 meters with engines off.

A whale breaches off the coast of Cape Town. (Photo courtesy Sunshine 365)

Iceland says that if a whale watching boat is already near the whale or whales, an approaching boat should not come closer than 200 to 300 meters until the first boat leaves or indicates that it is safe to approach.

Japan says vessels must slow down within 200 meters of the targeted whale, and cannot go any closer than 50 meters.

Madagascar warns whale watchers not to approach a group of whales any closer than 300 meters. If the group is a mother and calf or consists of four or more animals, whale watchers should stay at a distance of 400 meters.

It will take more than a week to harmonize all these approaches, but the whale watchers will give it a try. They will discuss future management development and implementation frameworks to ensure "both the minimization of negative impacts and optimal sustainable tourism," the South African Ministry of Environment and Tourism said.

Particular focus will be on socio-economic benefits and staffers will attempt to promote effective involvement of coastal communities in the management of whale watching.

South Africa was chosen as host country because of its experience in shark cage tourism as well as whale watching, the ministry said.