Whale Print Final

8/4/2019 Whale Print Final

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1.IntroductionWhale watching, defined by the IWC as any

commercial enterprise which provides for the

public to see cetaceans in their natural habitat

(IWC 1994) is one of the fastest growing tourism

products in the world. Thirty-four of the 40 IWC

member countries (85%) now have whale watching

activities (Hoyt 2001) , and ironically, it is a rapidlygrowing activity in countries that still hunt whales

such as Norway and Japan. As of 1998, over

100,000 people went whale and dolphin watching

in Japan, spending an estimated $33 million (USD)

(Hoyt 2001) . Annual income from whale watching

here far outweighs that of the sale of whale meat

products.

Whale watching nature tourism here has the

potential to become a vehicle for transforming

conservation and research into key economic

forces. Marine mammal viewing can result in

conservation and socioeconomic benefits for the

animals and local communities alike if it is

conducted responsibly (Spradlin, Barre et al. 2001)

. (Orams 2001) agrees that whale watching tourism

is likely to lead to a greater appreciation of and

public desire to conserve, the wildlife involved.
http://www.iwcoffice.org/http://www.iwcoffice.org/


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As populations of whales around the world are

starting to show signs of slow recovery from past

whaling exploitation, the potential is also growing

to observe whales from coastal communities.

Whale-watchingwasdevelopedin 1953

whalewatchinghasbecomeone of thefastestgrowingnature tourism industries in the world. It now

occurs in over 87 countries and territories and isestimated to be worth in excess of $1 billion (USD)each year attracting more than 9 millionparticipants (Hoyt 2001). As the socioeconomicvalue of whales grows as a tourism resource, sotoo does the need for long-term conservation ofwhales and management of the whale watchingindustry.

In recent years, Whale Watching has taken off in abig way all over the world. Over 50 countries offerwhale and dolphin-watching trips and they are allvery different. You can choose from a host ofdifferent vessels, ranging from huge cruise ships


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to small yachts and catamarans. You can evenpaddle your own kayak! It is also possible to go upin a helicopter for a real "birds-eye view"!

It's a beautiful way to observe these exciting andplayful creatures in their natural habitat, withoutsubjecting them to confined and depressingquarters to be trained for our enjoyment.

2.Facts About Whales AsTourism Marketing Product.

whales are members of the Cetacea order ofmarine mammals, which also includes Dolphins andPorpoises. Toothed Whales (Odontoceti) arepredators eating a variety of marine wildlife,wheras Baleen Whales (Mysticeti) have a filter

called a baleen used to sieve tiny food particlesfrom the water.

Scientists estimate that during feeding season,larger baleen whales eat approxinately 4percent of their body size!

Humpback whales sometimes blow bubblenets to help them feed. This is done when the

whale dives down and then swims in a spiralwhile releasing air from the blowholes. Doingthis creates bubbles which form a tubular net.The whale gets in the center of the bubble toeat the trapped prey. Several humpbacks can


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come up through the bubble net at one time tofeed.

The largest baleen whale is the blue whale. Itis said that blue whales are the largest

creatures - bigger than anything living orextinct.

Baleen whales use their flippers to steer andtheir flukes (tails) to stop.

Of the larger whales Blue, Fin and Sei Whales,the fastest can swim up to 18.6 miles per hour.

Whales shed! Yes, its true; all whales shed.The Beluga whale, for example, sheds when it

migrates to the North Pole. By rubbing againstrocks, its old, yellowed skin comes off in largesheets, revealing new white skin underneath.

Whales are Flexible. Because water, not thewhales skeleton, supports its body, whalebones are light, flexible and spongy. (This isalso why whales can grow so large.) Fat and oilin the bones enhance floating.

Whales have been known to live as long as 100years. Whales dont actually sleep; they take catnaps.

While one half of the brain is sleeping, theother signals it to come to the surface tobreathe and keeps it alert to predators.

Much like human fingerprints, the markings oneach whales tail are unique. This helps

researchers identify and study them.


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Whale Behaviour

The Blow:The first sign that whales are around isusually the blow. A humpback breathes throughthe blow hole on top of its head. When it expels itsbreath, the resulting burst of air and water vapourcan be seen for as far away as two kilometres on aclear day. The breath rushes out at speeds up to

450 kph and can go up to a height of 5 metres. Ithas a fishy smell and has sufficient oil content toput an unpleasant smear of oil on a camera lens ifa photographer gets too close.

Breaching: A much more spectacular way ofannouncing its presence is for a whale to breach.With 2 or 3 beats of its huge tail the creature hurlsitself up through the surface sometimes clearing

the water completely, and then falls on its backwith a tremendous splash. Breaching is thought tocommunicate position to others. The splash can beheard for several kilometres.

Head Lunge: When a whale breaks the surface and


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falls forward instead of backward the action iscalled a head lunge.

Spy Hop:Humpbacks are curious, and often pop their

head up above the waterline to look around. The creatureraises its head vertically from the water until the eyes areexposed, maintains that position for a short period of timeand then lowers its head back into the water. Thiscommon behaviour is thought to be used mainly fororientating themselves with the shoreline duringmigration.

Pectoral Fin Extension:Humpbacks are often seen

waving their huge oar-like fins above the water. Thecreature lies on the surface and lifts one or both of itspectoral fins up out of the water depending on bodyposition. Once extended, the fins can be waved about.

Tail Extension:Sometimes humpbacks are seenwith their tail flukes extended above the water forup to 15 minutes at a time. This behaviour is rarebut could be to do with feeding, as a calf is often

seen bobbing around its mother's tail at this time.

Tail Slapping: Whales like to lift their huge tailshigh above the water and slap them down on the


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surface making a tremendous splash. This can beheard for great distances by others and is probablyassociated with marking position..

Peduncle Slap:The peduncle is the muscular partof the body nearest to the tail flukes. It is used in avariation of the tail slap where the tail is slappedin a sideways movement like a massive karate-chop. This movement is a sure sign that thecreature could become aggressive.

Tail Cocking: Tail cocking is another sign of

aggression that is used when stressed. Anaggressor can cock its tail up in the air and thenbring it down heavily on an opponent in adisagreement over territory. Humans should keepwell clear.

Tail Slash and Tail Swish:Two further movementsof the tail involve slashing from side to side in thewater and swishing on the surface to createturbulence. Both these activities are alsoassociated with aggression. Crews of whalewatching boats watch for these behaviours assigns to move away.

Pectoral Stroking: Pectoral fins are the equivalentof human hands. They are frequently used tostroke the body of another of the same species,

probably during courtship and mating. Mothersand calves also stroke one another as a display ofcloseness.

Pec Slapping:The humpback has the largestpectoral fins of any of the great whales. The fins


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alone can weigh up to several tonnes! Whenbrought down onto the water from the extendedposition they create a forceful splash which can beheard from quite a distance, both above and below

the surface. Pec slapping is a common behaviouramong humpbacks, thought to be used as a form ofcommunication.

3. History Of WhaleWatching

Whale watching as an organized activity dates back to1950 when the Carbillo National Monument in San

Diego was declared a public spot for the observation

of Gray Whales. In 1955 the first water-based whale

watching commenced in the same area, charging

customers $1 per trip to view the whales at closer

quarters. The spectacle proved popular, attracting

10,000 visitors in its first year and many more in

subsequent years. The industry spread throughout the

western coast of the United States over the following

decade.

In 1971 the Montreal Zoological Society commenced

the first commercial whale watching activity on the

eastern side of North America, offering trips in the St.

Lawrence River to view Fin and Beluga Whales.

In the late 1970s the industry mushroomed in size

thanks to operations in New England. By 1985 more

visitors watched whales from New England than

California. The rapid growth in this area has been


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attributed to the relatively dense population of

Humpback Whales, whose acrobatic behaviour such as

breaching (jumping out of the water) and tail-slapping

was an obvious crowd-pleaser, and the close proximity

of whale populations to the large cities on the east

coast of the US.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s whale watching

spread throughout the world. In 1998 Erich Hoyt

carried out the largest systematic study of whale

watching yet undertaken and concluded that whale

watching trips were now available in 87 countries

around the world, with over 9 million participantsgenerating an income to whale watcher operators and

supporting infrastructure (such as accommodation,

restaurants and souvenirs) of over one billion dollars.

Whale watching is of particular importance to

developing countries as coastal communities start to

profit directly from the whales' presence, significantly

adding to popular support for the full protection ofthese animals from any resumption of commercial

whaling.

Today

Whale watching today is carried out from the water

from crafts from kayaks, motorized rafts, and

sailboats through to out-of-use fish or whaling boats

and custom-built craft carrying as many as 400people. Land-based watching of species such as the

Orca who come very close to shore remains popular.

Viewing of species that usually stay some distance


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from the shore is also offered by fixed-wing aircraft

"Whale watching is the practice of observing whales

and other cetaceans in their natural habitat. Whales

are watched mostly commonly for recreation (cf. bird

watching) but the activity can also be for scientific or

educational reasons. Whilst individuals do organize

private trips, whale watching is primarily a commercial

activity, estimated to be worth up to $1bn per annum

worldwide to whale watching operations and their

local communities. The size and rapid growth of the

whale watching industry has led to complex and

unconcluded debates with the whaling industry about

the best use of whales as a natural resource."-

Wikipedia Encyclopedia

4.Few TypesOf Whales

HumpBack Whales


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Humpbacks are 50- to 55-foot long, dark-colored withdistinctive bumps on their noses. Their pectoralflippers are long, nearly a third of their body length.

Adult humpbacks weigh up to 45 tonnes Adults are 10 to 15 metres in length An adult can eat up to a tonne of krill per day Humpback calves weigh around one tonne Calves consume 600 litres of milk per day

At the time that hunting of the humpbacks finallyceased numbers had shrunk to little more than 500.The humpbacks now boast a population of around

4,500. Each year their migration during the wintermonths takes them from the feeding waters of theAntarctic north along the Australian coast to breedand give birth to new calves in the warm waters offthe Whitsundays.

Humpback whales take their name from their habit ofexposing a large central area of their backs whendiving, as they do repeatedly when swimming along

near the water surface.

Humpbacks are baleen whales which means they feedby straining their food from seawater through a seriesof plates on their upper jaws. They strain out planktonand very small crustaceans called krill from thewater.Humpbacks are also known to be curious, andare renowned for swimming up really close to whalewatching boats where they poke their heads out of the

water to get a good look at the humans.

They are the fifth largest animal on this planet,growing to a size equivalent to 11 elephants or 600humans each ! Humpbacks are the most acrobatic ofall of the great whales displaying a wide variety ofleaping, rolling and breaching movements which


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provide fascinating viewing for whale watchinghumans. Adult humpbacks have been seen to breach20 - 30 times in succession, averaging only 10 secondsbetween breachings. Humpbacks are also known for

their complex underwater vocalisations or whalesongs particularly during breeding.

According to marine biologists, humpback whales(Megaptera novaeangliae) spend the warmer summermonths in Antarctic waters feeding on krill. As winterapproaches they start their annual migration north tothe central and southern Great Barrier Reef. Calvesare born in the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef

and then commence their first migration with theirmothers back to Antarctica. Many migrating humpbackwhales stop off at Platypus Bay, a warm, shallow,sheltered bay on the eastern side of Hervey Bay, upagainst the northern tip of Fraser Island. Fraser Islandis a World Heritage listed area for many otherreasons, but it is because of the humpback whalesthat Platypus Bay is part of the Hervey Bay MarinePark

Growing to a length of 15 metres, humpback whalescan weigh up to 45 tonnes. They have a massive headthat they are fond of popping high up out of the waterto get a good one-eyed look at the humans. Thisbehaviour is known as a spy-hop. Along the undersideof their body they have up to 22 throat pleats runningfrom their chins to their navel. Yes, whales do have anavel because, as mammals, they were once attached

to their mother by an umbilical cord. These cetaceanshave a very rough and ragged appearance once youget up close, with many knobs and lumps on theirskin, liberally interspersed with barnacles.


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"Humpbacks measure from 30-60 feet and weigh up to40 tons. Their large, winglike flippers can extend to 14feet. Very energetic, spin, or slap their fluke or flipperon the waters surface. Theyre also very vocal,

singing a long series of repeated phrases."

Minke Whales

The Minke whale has aslender streamlinedbody with a pointedhead, and it's blow hasbeen described as

inconspicuous. Coloursof Minke whales arebluish grey on top andwhite underneath. Smallcompared to other

whales, Minke's are 25 to 30 feet long. Theysometimes have pale trapezoidal stripes behind theflippers on the top, and always have a characteristicwhite band on each flipper. They live in all the oceansof the world. Marine biologists report that the Minkeswhich migrate to the Antarctic feed on krill, but thosethat migrate to the Arctic waters feed mainly on smallfish.

"Minkes are the smallest baleen (non-toothed) whalein North American waters. They grow from 15-35 feetand weigh up to 10 tons. They often approach whalewatch vessels and seem to enjoy leaping clear of thewaters surface."Orcas


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Despite its size and common name "Killer Whale", theOrca is, in fact, the largest dolphin, and is moreclosely related to smaller dolphins than to the 'great'whales. Orca is found in all oceans and seas of the

world, from the deepest waters to the coast.

The Orca (Orcinus Orca) family

Orcas have a striking colour combination: the maincolour is black, but there is the addition of a grey'saddle' behind the dorsal, and a brilliant white thatcovers three areas. The head is rounded, with anindistinct beak, inside of which are 10-12 pairs oflarge teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. The maleOrca's dorsal fin is a tell-tale giveaway, being as tallas a man and shaped like a huge triangle.Orcas are fearsome predators, known to hunt in podsto kill and eat seals, dugongs, fish, turtles, squid,seabirds, and even the massive Humpback and BlueWhales.


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Blue Whales

The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the largestknown animal ever to live on sea or land. Individualscan reach more than 33 metres (110 feet) and weighnearly 180 tonnes (200 tons). This is more than theweight of 50 adult elephants!

The blue whale's blood vessels are so big that a fullgrown trout could swim through them to its heart,which is the size of a small car.

Blue-grey in color, with light grey mottling, they'relong and streamlined, with a very small dorsal fin andlong, thin pectoral flippers. Blue whales are sightednear California's Channel Islands.

Grey Whales

The entire population of grey whales (over 20,000)swim past the west coast twice a year, travelingbetween summer feeding in the Bering and ChukchiSeas and their nursery and breeding grounds inCalifornia, and BajaMexico. Grey whales are medium-sized, up to 45 feet long. Their dark, slate grey skin iscovered with white patches caused by barnacles and
http://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/California.htmhttp://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/California.htmhttp://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/Baja.htmhttp://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/Mexico.htmhttp://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/California.htmhttp://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/California.htmhttp://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/Baja.htmhttp://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/Mexico.htm


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parasites. They have no dorsal or back fin. Sightedalong the entire West Coast.

Finback WhalesFinbacks are also called razorbacks for their sharpdorsal fins. They are the second largest of all whales,usually measuring 65-70 feet long and weighing up to 60tons. They can swim up to 70 miles per hour and divedeeper than some other baleen whales.

5. The Indian OceanWhale Sanctuary

The Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary is an areain the Indian Ocean where the InternationalWhaling Commission (IWC) has banned all types of

commercial whaling. The IWC has at presentdesignated two such sanctuaries, the other beingthe Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Repeatedproposals at the IWC for a South Atlantic Sanctuaryand a South Pacific Sanctuary have never reachedthe 75% majority needed to pass.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Oceanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Whaling_Commissionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Whaling_Commissionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Ocean_Whale_Sanctuaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Oceanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Whaling_Commissionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Whaling_Commissionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Ocean_Whale_Sanctuary


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History

The Indian Ocean Sanctuary was established by theIWC in 1979 after being proposed by the tiny islandnation of the Seychelles, in its first meeting as anIWC member, partly in order to protect whales intheir breeding grounds.

The status of the Whale Sanctuaries is reviewed bythe IWC every 10 years, and the Indian OceanSanctuary has so far been reviewed (andextended) three times, in 1989, 1992 and 2002.

Indian Ocean whales and Whaling.

From the unusual pygmy blue whales off the Westcoast of Sri Lanka, to the humpback whales off theSouth Coast of Oman, the Indian Ocean is animportant area for cetaceans, large and small.Unlike the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the IndianOcean has a Northern coastline, which prevents
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seychelleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seychelles


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the migration of whales to Arctic waters and mayhave lead to the evolution of unique populations ofwhales.

Though many populations of whales weredevastated by commercial whaling, most surviveand the Sanctuary provides a long-termopportunity for their eventual recovery. The mostremarkable story is that of Omans humpbackwhales, which,unknown to the world, were almost wiped out byillegal Soviet whalers in the 1960s. Following the

collapse of the Soviet Union, efforts were made todocument the illegal whaling of the Soviets,involving several of the scientists who werepresent on thewhaling ships at the time. It is now clear thatOmans humpback whales survived but only just.

Supported by the Indian Ocean range

statesIn 1979, the Seychelles, which proposed the

Sanctuary, came with messages of support frommany Indian Ocean range states, which were notthen members of the IWC. India, Kenya, Sri Lankaand Mauritius are mentioned in the Seychellesproposal. During the meeting the Seychelles spoke

of others that indicated support -Somalia, Tanzania and Bangladesh.Reaffirm(ed) the need to maintain the status ofthe Indian Ocean as a sanctuary for the protectionof endangered marine mammals of the conventionregion. The Nairobi Convention is under the


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auspices of UNEP and is the Convention for theProtection, Management and Development of theMarine and Coastal Environment in the EasternAfrican Region. Comoros, France (Reunion), Kenya,

Madagascar,Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, SouthAfrica and Tanzania are members.

Research in the Sanctuary

The Sanctuary has stimulated a great deal ofresearch over the years. Following an IFAW-funded

aerial whale survey, WWF funded a project tostudy sperm whales using a small sailing boat. Theresearch methods developed during that project,which involved acoustic and photo-identificationwork have since been used in all oceans of theworld. Since then work has been conducted inmany Indian Ocean states. A book published byUNEP in 1993 details the research done during the

1980s. Research since has been published in avariety of scientific journals.


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6.Tourism Locations for

.

Watching WhaleExcellent whale watching can be had on thecommercial car ferries crossing the Bay of Biscayfrom Britain to Spain.

Kaikoura in New Zealand is a world-famous site forwhales (in particular Sperm Whales) and

Albatrosses.Hervey Bay in Queensland, Australia offers reliablewhale watching conditions for Southern HumpbackWhales from the beginning of August through tothe end of November each year. Whale numbersand activity have increased markedly in recentyears as a result of cessation of whaling. PortStephens in NSW is another popular port for tours.

On the West Coast of the United States andCanada, excellent whale watching can be found inAlaska (summer), Vancouver Island , BritishColumbia, and the San Juan Islands/Puget Sound inWashington. In California good whalewatching canbe found in spring, summer, and fall at theFarallon Islands off San Francisco, Monterey Bay,

and the Channel Islands off Southern California.


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In the winter, Baja becomes an excellent place towatch Gray Whales in their breeding lagoons.

In New England and off the east coast of LongIsland, the whale watching season typically takesplace from about mid-spring through October,depending both on weather and precise location. Itis here that the Northern Humpback Whale, FinWhale, Minke Whale, and the very endangeredNorthern Right Whale are often observed. Forgenerations areas like the Gulf ofMaine andStellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (theinner waters formed by Cape Cod's hooked shape)have been important feeding grounds for thesespecies and in the past this area was a whalingcapital for the U.S. whaling industry. Though strictlaws oturight prohibit the molestation of theselarge wild mammals, it is not unknown for thewhales to approach the boats entirely on their

own, particularly calves and juveniles. Also seenoften are members of the dolphin family and twospecies of seal.

In Brazil, humpback whales are observed offSalvador in Bahia State and at the National Marine
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Park of Abrolhos during their breeding season inaustral winter and spring. Likewise, Southern RightWhales are observed from shore in Santa CatarinaState during the same season, as mother/calf pairs

can come as close to shore as 30 meters (about100 feet). Income from whale watching hasbolstered many a coastal community in Brazil andhas made the township if Imbituba, Santa Catarina,recognized as a Brazilian ' Whale Capital '.

7. The Marine MammalConservation Network ofIndia

Himalayacetus subathuensis the oldest-knownwhale fossil of the family Protocetidae (Eocene),about 53.5 million years old was found in the Simla

hills in the foothills of the Himalayas. This areawas underwater (in the Tethys sea) during theTertiary period (when India was an island off Asia).This whale may have been capable of living partlyon land. [31][32] Other fossil whales from India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayacetus_subathuensishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_of_India#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_of_India#cite_note-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayacetus_subathuensishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_of_India#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_of_India#cite_note-31


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include Remingtonocetus approximately 43-46million years old

Marine mammals form a fascinating group of

animals including whales, dolphins, seals and thedugong, also known as the sea cow. Being

mammals, they are more closely related to

elephants, leopards, bats and hares than they are

to sharks and other fish. There are some 120

species of marine mammal to be found in the

world, and a fourth of these may be found in India

and adjacent countries.

One species belonging to the order Sirenia,

namely the dugong, and 30 species of cetaceans,

including dolphins, whales and porpoises, are

found in the waters of the Indian subcontinent.

A number of types of whales live in the IndianOcean and have been observed there. They includethe blue whale, Bryde's whale, Cuvier's beakedwhale, fin whale, humpback whale, Longman'sbeaked whale, pygmy Bryde's whale (Eden'swhale), pygmy right whale, pygmy sperm whale,southern right whale, and sperm whale.

8.RegulationsEnvironmental campaigners, concerned by what


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they consider the "quick-buck" mentality of someboat owners, continue to strongly urge all whalewatcher operators to contribute to localregulations governing whale watching (no

international standard set of regulations existbecause of the huge variety of species andpopulations). Common rules include:

Minimize speed/"No wake" speed Avoid sudden turns Minimize noise Do not pursue, encircle or come in between

whales Approach animals from angles where they

won't be taken by surprise Consider cumulative impact - minimize number

of boats at any one time/per day Do not coerce dolphins into bow-riding. Do not allow swimming with dolphins. This last

rule is more contentious and is often

disregarded in, for example, the Caribbean.

Almost all popular whale watching regions nowhave such regulations. Campaigners hope that acombination of peer pressure, the economicbenefit of being advertised and promoted byethical tourism operators and operators' ownpassion for marine wildlife forces them to stick

such regulations.


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Preparation

When cruising 10-20 miles off shore in the ocean it

is better to be safe than sorry. If you are a firsttime whale watcher, you may want to considermotion sickness medications. These can usually befound in most convenience or drug stores.Prescription medications are also available throughyour doctor. Talk with your doctor to determinewhat might work best for you. Most medicationsmust be taken a few hours prior to the trip. Be

sure to check the label.Once your trip begins, it istoo late to take anything.

A good breakfast is key! Very often people will goon their first whale watch fearing they may getsick. They will skip breakfast thinking that no foodin their stomach means they won't get sick. In fact,the opposite is true. An empty stomach producesacids and, in turn, can actually make you sick. Eata good carbohydrate breakfast. This includesthings like bagels and cereal. Avoid fatty or friedfoods. Keep munching on light snacks like crackersor ginger snaps during the trip! This reducesstomach acid build up and can prevent seasickness.

Don't get dehydrated! When on the ocean it is

recommended that you keep hydrated by drinkingwater, ginger ale, tea or even sports drinks. Avoiddrinks that are high in sugars. Most boatcompanies will allow you to bring your own foodand beverage on board. However, glass bottles and


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alcoholic beverages are usually not permitted onboard. Check with the company beforehand.

Keep Warm! It is always colder on the ocean than

on land. Dress in layers and bring extra clothes.Sometimes on choppy days people can get wet andchilled.

Don't forget the sunblock! Water reflects andmagnifies the sun rays. Without protection, youcan get severely sunburned during a 3-5 hour trip.Also, be sure to bring your sunglasses to protectyour eyes from glare on the water.

A few helpful hints if you start to feel queasy

Remember sea sickness can sometimes be stoppedif caught in time.

Stay outside. The fresh air helps a lot. Take some nice deep breaths. Sometimes this

is all that it takes. Go to the lowest deck. The closer you are to

the water, the less motion is felt. Nibble on crackers and sip on ginger ale. It can

really help to have something in your stomach. Look at the horizon. Looking at something that

is not moving helps the equilibrium.

Start looking for whales and other animals.This keeps your mind occupied. The excitementof seeing these beautiful, magnificentcreatures is enough to make anyone feelbetter. Whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals andbirds can usually be seen at anytime during a


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trip. You never know what you can see untilyou really start looking.

Finally, strike up a conversation with a friend.Again, keep your mind occupied.

9.Guidelines Responsible

Whale Watching

The first regional guidelines for responsiblewhale and dolphin watching across the Pacific

Islands were launched today on the eve of the firstInternational Conference for Marine MammalProtected Areas in Maui, Hawaii.

Developed by IFAW (International Fund for AnimalWelfare), the Secretariat of the Pacific RegionalEnvironment Programme (SPREP) and OprationCtacs, the Pacific Regional Guidelines for Whale& Dolphin Watching aim to minimise the potential

impacts of tourism activities on whales anddolphins and their environment.

The Pacific Islands region is an important habitatfor more than thirty species of cetaceans. Itprovides a vital breeding ground and migration


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corridor for many species, including endangeredpopulations of humpback whales.

The presence and diversity of marine mammals in

the region has led to a whale watching industrythat generates more than US$21 million each yearand that is growing at a staggering rate of 45 percent annually.

The Pacific Islands region offers visitors a uniquecultural nature tourism experience withendangered whales in their breeding grounds. It isvital that governments and industry ensure theprotection of the animals that are attractingincreased prosperity to many countries in theregion, said IFAW Pacific Officer, Olive Andrews.

Already many Pacific Island governments aretaking steps to bring their current whale watchingregulations in line with this new regional templateand we encourage all commercial and private

boaters to follow these sensible rules.

Safe, responsible whale watching that minimisesdisturbance to the animals is best for the whales,best for tourists and best for the community, MsAndrews said.

The guidelines were developed by 35representatives from 13 Pacific Islandgovernments, whale watch operators andscientists and carry the endorsement of 25 SPREPmember countries and territories. Additionalfunding support was received from the AustralianGovernment Department of the Environment,


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Water, Heritage and the Arts and Fonds Franaispour l'Environnement Mondial (FFEM).

10.Whale Watching Tips

Following these simple tips can really savethe day.The best place to see the whales

Upper deck verses the lower deck:When on the lower deck one is closer to thewhales, especially if the whale is in a curiousmood and visits your boat. The upper deck allowsyou to see further out and may have bettervisibility.

Starboard (right side) verses the port (left side):Whales are extremely unpredictable. You can


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never really tell where they may pop back up.Sometimes they even swim around the vessel.

Strict guidelines dictate the Captains

maneuverability. The Captains may not always beable to maneuver the boat the way you want themtoo. If a whale is traveling, then the Captain canparallel the course from beside or behind theanimal at a distance greater than 100 feet. When awhale decides to check the boat out, the Captainmust put the vessel in neutral and can notmaneuver until the whale is more than 100 feet

away. Have a little patience. The Captains alwaysdo their best.

Things to bring

Here is a short list of things you may want to bringon your trip.

Binoculars -- Usually the whales are close enoughto see better without binoculars. They may,however, be useful if bird watching is also on youragenda.

Rubbersoled shoes -- A moving vessel is not


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usually the best place for high heels. Sneakershave much better traction. Remember thatsometimes the decks get wet and slippery.

Picnic Lunch -- It is nice to have your favorite foodswhile out for the day. If it is not convienent for youto pack and lug a picnic, check to see if the boatcompany sells food. Usually they do. Also, you maywant to check if bringing your own food or a cooleris allowed.

Warm clothes or even a blanket -- You may want to

consider a heavy winter coat or a blanket if yourtrip is in the colder months of spring or fall.

Sunscreen and Sunglasses -- On sunny days youcan get quite a sunburn on a three hour trip.Sunglasses will help protect your eyes from glareoff the water as you scan the horizon for whales.

Camera or Camcorder ( see below tips onphotographing or videotaping whales) -- Bringplenty of film, tapes and batteries.

A book or playing cards -- It usually takes a bit oftime to reach the whales. Travel times averagebetween 30 minutes to 2 hours. This time willdepend on where the whales are located at the

time of your whalewatch trip and the speed of yourboat. Sometimes they are near shore andsometimes far offshore. You just never know untilyou actually find them. A good book or a game canhelp pass the time.


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Photo tips

Batteries and film always tend to run out just

before the perfect shot. Be sure to have plenty offilm. Also, if you can't remember when you lastchanged your batteries, you may want to bringalong some extras just in case. Film may beavailable onboard, however batteries are usuallyhard to come by. 400 speed film is recommended,but 200 works well too. a 70-300 zoom lens worksbest. It is difficult to take pictures without a zoom.Usually the photograph comes back with mostlyocean and very little whale without it. Sometimes,however, the whale does come over to peek atyou.. Patience is a virtue. Watch the sun direction.Photos do not come out well when the whales arein the sun. A polarised lens will sometimes helpwith sun glare. When a whale comes over to yourboat, the polarised lens allows you to see thewhales body below the surface of the water. You

can get some amazing shots.

Video tips

Make sure your batteries are fully charged. Theaverage time spent watching the whales isbetween 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes.Start your recording at wide angle not zoom. Whenfully zoomed in on an animal the recording canlook jerky due to the movement of the boat.

The Perfect Shot


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After a whale dives, do not concentrate on theexact area it went down. They rarely come back upin this spot. Instead, try to determine the directionit was moving in and have your camera pointed in

the same direction. In other words, think like awhale. When humpback whales go on a deep dive,they first arch their backs. Be focused, centeredand ready to snap your shot. A photograph of thefluke as it is first coming up with water streamingoff the trailing edge can be a very beautifulpicture. Researchers usually wait a few secondslater, when the tail is completely out of the water

and the underside is visible. You will notice a blackand white pattern, called a fluke print. This isunique to every whale and is how we can identifyindividuals. It is kind of fun to take these pictures.You may be able to later identify your shots bycontacting the boat company you went with. Ifthey can't identify the whale for you, they may beable to get you in contact with someone who can.

Everyone hopes to get the ultimate picture- thebreach. This behavior is as unpredictable as theanimals themselves. Sometimes they breach forhours (this is your best chance) and sometimesthey breach just once (to tease you). The perfectshot is pure luck. You must look in the right placeat the right time and snapping the shot at theprecise moment.

Children on boats

Children tend to get bored easily,especially on the trip out. Planahead by bringing crayons and


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coloring books for the young ones, sketch pads andjournals for older ones. Cards and travel games area good idea as well. Be sure to bring their favoritesnack and plenty of it. Eating always takes up a

little time. You may want to call ahead to see ifyour boat company has special activities for kids.For safety reasons do not allow your children torun around the boat. Boats are made of metals andsometimes have nonskid surfaces. A fall can leadto an extremely painful injury. It is also not a goodidea for them to stand on benches. One wrongmovement from the boat can send a kid flying.

Please ask your children to refrain from screaming.Loud noises will put the crew on alert. Lastly, donot hold your child in your arms while standing orhave them sit on your shoulders to get a betterview. This is extremely dangerous for both you andyour child. If your child is having trouble seeing orgetting to a railing ask a crew member to help. Bythinking ahead and preparing yourself you should

get the most out of your trip. Make it safe, make itfun.

General

Unless you're an expert whale-watcher, binocularsmay not be very useful. Looking through them ishard on a moving boat, and even on dry land, they

restrict your view to a small area. They move about5 miles per hour, or the speed of a child on abicycle.

Grey whales normally swim in a cycle of 3 to 5blows, 30 seconds apart, followed by three- to six-


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minute dive, and they often show their tail flukesjust before they dive.

Dress Warmly, in layers. Any time of the year it

will be colder out on the water than it is on theshore.In winter, you may want to bring gloves ormittens (an extra pair of socks make a goodemergency substitute).Even if it isn't raining, some of the smaller boatscan kick up quite a spray. Bring a waterproofjacket with a hood.

Wear sunscreen, no matter what the weather.Even if you sit in the shade, 60% of the sunlightbounces back up from the water's surface, andyou can sunburn even under cloudy skies.Wear sunglasses. The glare from the water cangive you a headache. Wear a hat or visor toshade your eyes.Young children can get bored on a whale-

watching trip. Bring along something toentertain them.

11. Few WhaleWatching

. Festivals

The Annual Gray Whale Migration


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Whale watching festivals are a fun way to enjoy

the annual migration of the gray whales along the

California coast. Many coastal communities offer

special events from fall through spring.They celebrate with food, wine, music, parades and

street fairs. They hold whale-watching walks and

informational programs. You'll find a listing of

California whale-watching festivals below, ordered

from north to south.

Of course, you don't have to wait for a festival to

go whale-watching. You can watch the great beasts

swim by from numerous headlands and

promontories along the coast, and whale-watching

excursions are offered at just about every harbor.

In the Monterey area, they're even offered year

round.

The Hermanus Whale FestivalThe only Environ-Arts festival in South Africa, isheld annually to celebrate the return of theSouthern Right whales to the waters of WalkerBay, our magnificent environment and the arrivalof Spring!
http://www.whalefestival.co.za/shows_&_events/http://www.whalefestival.co.za/shows_&_events/


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Hermanus, known as the best land based whale

watching destination in the world, plays host to

thousands of visitors who flock to the seaside

resort to exhilarate in the unique natural

environment, watch whales, revel in music,

comedy and African rhythms throughout the

Festival.

The focus will once again be on our wonderful

environment, with a strong emphasis on marine

life and protection. Come face to face with Wally

the whale and his ocean buddies. Educationaldisplays for little festinos and well known guest

speakers are just a few of the highlights!

Further highlights of the 2009

festival includes the SAB gig rig

where our country greats, Billy

Forrest, Sally Vaughn and BobbyAngel will take to the stage on

Thursday 24 September. On Friday the Four Kings

Comedy show will tickle your funny bone and ABBA
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Magic will bring the great ABBA hits to life on

Saturday.

The Whales 'n Wheels Vintage

Classic Car Show has gainedmomentum and an increased

following, and the gleaming

machines will be showcased at the

Primary School grounds. Pay a visit to the Whale

of a Wine Festival on Saturday.

The popular Whale Festival Classic Charity Golf

Event will take place at the Hermanus Golf course

on Friday, 25 September.

Little festinos will be further entertained at the

Kids Morning Market that will be held at Market

Square on Saturday, 26 September from 08:00 to

14:00. Budding entrepreneurs are invited to

participate.

The National Sea Rescue Institute offers dramatic

rescues on Saturday, 26 September. Do read more.

The whales are always the star

performers at the Festival and will

be joined on land by musicians,

crafters, sports celebrities andthousands of people celebrating

Spring in the most beautiful place

on earth Hermanus.
http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=435http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=394http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=394http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=429http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=429http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=322http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=419http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=430http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=303http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=435http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=394http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=394http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=429http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=429http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=322http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=419http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=430http://www.whalefestival.co.za/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=303


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Whale watching and shark cage diving, bird

watching and Fynbos hikes, baboons and kayak

trips are just some of the adventures available.

Dana Point festival of whales

Dana Point's year-round Mediterranean climateaffords visitors sunny days and cool evenings.

Average summer temperature (April-September) is75 degrees F (24 degrees C). Average wintertemperature 65 degrees F (18 degrees C). Average

annual rainfall is 12 inches.

Casual sports clothing year-around during the dayis suitable. A sweater or jacket is recommended forcool mornings and evenings, and especially forwhale watching excursions on the ocean.

Dana Point: A Profile

Just south of Laguna Beach on the California coastlies a lovely stretch of shoreline where year-roundtemperatures hover around 70 degrees and a softsea breeze wafts in daily from the glisteningPacific. In the middle of this gentle setting lies ahistoric headland known as Dana Point, named forauthor/seaman Richard Henry Dana who, aftersailing into the area, described the cliffed cove as

the only romantic spot in California.

Atop the majestic cliffs above the shoreline are 42acres of brilliant, emerald green lawn and park.Here are miles of jogging and bicycling trails forthe fitness buff, cool paths for strolling and
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enjoying the spectacular view, and ample room forfamilies, with room left over for the kite flyerwanting to put the soft ocean breezes to good use.

Steps away is the 62-acre Doheny State Beach andPark, one of Southern Californias most valuedcoastal recreational preserves. Doheny offers lush,grassy picnic areas, cool wooded campgrounds, avariety of playing fields for the sports minded andthe white sandy beaches of picture postcards.

But, the jewel of Dana Point is the 2500-slip yachtharbor, which is nestled in a natural cove belowtowering white cliffs. Protected by a 1-mile jetty,the picturesque harbor offers two separatemarinas equipped for those who want toexperience the thrill of the sea, regardless of theirseafaring abilities. Whether it be the excitement ofocean sailing, the contest of deep sea fishing, orthe man versus nature sport of windsurfing, DanaPoint harbor fulfills mans love of the sea.

Through a colorfully trellised walkway is DanaWharf, another charming themed shopping anddining area. Visitors relax on a beach and relish aview, watch the gracefully swooping seagulls,roller skate along the harbor pathways, canvas theshops for that special gift, or charter a fishing boatand try their hand at harnessing what the ocean

has to offer.

The Ocean Institute, located at the far west end ofthe Harbor, is a non-profit educational facility thatserves the needs of the educational communityand promotes ocean awareness and preservation


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through its programs. The Institute lies at the edgeof the open ocean, the Dana Point Marine LifeRefuge and the historic headlands. A newlyexpanded 33,000 square-foot Ocean Education

Center consists of six buildings in a campus-likesetting reminiscent of an oceanographic outpoststation.

While the new Ocean Education Center is designedprimarily for students, there are many points ofinterest for the casual visitor throughout thecampus providing a fun, unique and memorable

learning experience. Portions of the center areopen to the public on weekends from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. and the Institutes Research Vessel SeaExplorer and historic tallship, Spirit of Dana Pointoffer regularly scheduled weekend cruises. Thebrig Pilgrim is open for tours most Sundays from10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Special events are integral to the enchantment of

Dana Point. The Festival of Whales, Dana Pointsmost famous annual event, is a celebration of theannual migration of the magnificent California GrayWhale. The Festival is held in March, but whalewatching excursions begin the end of December,and are offered through the first of April. Otherannual community events include a July 4thfireworks spectacular, Tallships Festival and

Decembers festive Christmas Boat Parade.

Whether visitors seek the quiet charm of a seasidevillage or the exhilaration of a recreational mecca,Dana Point has something for everyone.


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Dana Point is the Whale Capital of the West!

Dana Point is located midway between Los Angelesand San Diego on a coastal bluff just off the San

Diego (I-5) freeway. Visitors can fly into JohnWayne/Orange County Airport, Los AngelesInternational Airport or San Diego Airport. Forvisitors that want to enjoy leisurely travel on thetrain, the San Juan Capistrano Amtrak Depot islocated just minutes from Dana Point

Conclusion


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The observation of whales in the Northern

hemisphere and the southern hemisphere

represents a flourishing part in the increasing

industry of eco-tourism ; it brings in 1 billiondollars per year. The World Organization of

Commerce estimates that "nature" travelling and

ecotourism constitute 20% of international travels.

In 1998, Erich Hoyt, from the WDCS (Whale and

Dolphin Conservation Society) systematically

studied whale-watching programmes ; his

conclusions are that these excursions are availablein 87 countries worldwide. Sea-outings on the

Atlantic ocean draw every year 1,7 million people

who can thus admire numerous species of

cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises).

Tourist come long way to see cetaceans , they are

consumed for hotels, restaurants, stores etc.

Whale-watching can bring about fantastic

economical possibilities, notably in terms of

employment, for coastal communities whose profit

is drawn directly from the presence of cetaceans. If

achieved in good conditions, whale-watching is a

sustainable alternative, profitable for men and

animals. It generates the creation of marine

sanctuaries, thus contributing to the conservationof the cetaceans, and providing biologists with a

propitious terrain for their studies.

On economical grounds, whale-watching brings in

more money than whale-hunting, still practised by


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some countries . In 2003, Iceland killed several

dozens of small finbacks during its whale-hunting

campaign. But, throughout the year 2004, that

same country drew 82 000 tourists due to whale-watching activity.

Bibliography

www.google.com

www.ifaw.org

www.apo-tokyo.org

www.whalefestivel.co.za

www.flicker.com

http://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/

en.wikipedia.org

Tourism Marketing
http://www.google.com/http://www.whalefestivel.co.za/http://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/http://www.google.com/http://www.whalefestivel.co.za/http://whale-watching.pinnacle-travel.org/

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