Working in a marine park, I’ve heard it all:
“I feed dolphins off of my boat all the time.”
“One time a group of dolphins came up to us in the ocean and starting playing with my kids. You could tell the dolphins loved it.”
“I was a guide on a whale watching boat, so I learned a lot more about whales there than you ever could in an aquarium.”
These are all incredible encounters that cannot be discredited for their merits of connecting people to nature. However, such interactions could come at a cost to the animals that they rely on and the safety of the people involved.
A photographer in Australia recently found himself the subject of criticism after capturing some of the most inspiring images of a southern right whale ever seen.
Joel Coleman approached the massive cetacean after seeing it from dry land. In the United States, such interactions are prohibited by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which outlines that such animals are only to be viewed from 100 yards away. Approaching whales is also regulated in Australia, although Coleman assures that “the whale was in control the whole time.”
Coleman’s images are seen as invaluable works of art, just as scientists justify close contact with marine animals to fulfill research and provide public knowledge. Photographers and scientists aren’t the only ones itching to get closer to wild whales. Eco-tourism is intended to be a low-impact environmental form of travel in which vacationers appreciate nature from afar. Whale watching has become a booming $2 billion industry, servicing more than 13 million tourists in 2009.
Although these numbers are impressive and indicative of the general consensus for the majesty of the ocean, they also reveal the dangers that humans present for wild animals. We can gain insight and respect for nature by being in close contact with cetaceans and other wildlife, but we must do so responsibly to offer the most reward for every species involved. When we journey out in such large numbers to view these animals, we are bound to have impact, but it’s not always a positive one.
According to NBC News, “In March 2000, within days of U.S. sonar exercises off the coast of the Bahamas, 17 deep-diving beaked whales beached themselves on the island sand, and seven of them died there of heatstroke.” While most commercial whale watching excursions do not use the powerful sonar employed by the military, there is no doubt that our presence can change a wild animal’s behavior.
On the fleeting actions of whales upon encountering whale watching boats, an International Whaling Commission report concludes that, “the consequences of these responses are direct increase in energy expenditure and decreased opportunities to acquire energy….The likelihood that these behavioural disruptions will lead to impacts on the fitness of individuals will then depend on the ability those individuals will have to compensate for these effects.” While we still have much to learn about the conduct of cetaceans in the wild, we can deduce a direct impact on lifestyle when bombarded by foreign vessels and visitors. Whale watching may not be so natural after all, as we are unwittingly changing the animal’s behavior with our presence.
But what if it was never your intention to watch whales or dolphins? Perhaps they came to you. Surfers and boaters are occasionally approached by wild marine mammals, including dolphins such as Sarasota, Florida’s notorious Beggar. Interacting with wild cetaceans is dangerous for humans, but especially harmful to the animals, no matter how sweet and playful they may appear. Stephanie Pappas of LifeScience writes of Beggar’s death, “the dolphin’s digestive tract contained fishing hooks, squid beaks (not usual prey for dolphins in the area) and ulcers, suggesting that humans may have contributed to his demise.” Beggar was also found to have boat strike marks and broken ribs. No matter how pure our intentions may be, the damaging results of interacting with wild cetaceans are unavoidable.
There are alternative ways to safely relate to and view cetaceans all while complying with federal regulations to provide safe environments for these mammals:
Take Action and be Aware
If a wild whale or dolphin approaches you, remain calm and avoid direct contact. If these animals are seen from a distance, slow your speed and remain at least 100 yards away from the animal. Pull in fishing lines and other hazards, while keeping clear of the animal’s path. Never feed or touch a wild marine mammal.
View from Shore
Perhaps Joel Coleman’s photos of a southern right whale wouldn’t have turned out as ethereal from above the water, but he would have been in a much safer position. While viewing animals from the shore may be limiting depending on the depth and migration patterns of individual cetaceans, it is one of the safest and most respectful ways to view wild whales. It might take some luck, but even dolphins are notoriously spotted regularly off the coasts of beaches all over the United States.
Visit an AZA Accredited Facility
Want to get even closer to dolphins and whales? At accredited zoos and aquariums, you may even have the opportunity to feed these animals in a controlled and safe environment that is conducive to education for both humans and animals. SeaWorld and other marine parks throughout the country provide scientific research opportunities and insight on a variety of species, all while offering a unique way for guests to bond with animals.
No matter how you choose to view whales or dolphins, we must remember that we are visiting their home. Therefore, we should make an effort to be as low-impact and courteous as possible. Caring for wildlife starts with a genuine connection that can be safely established by following the guidelines set by federal and local authorities. Finding new ways to appreciate wild animals is the beginning of protecting our oceans.
Sources:
Be Whale Wise Guidelines. Wild Whales B.C. Cetacean Sighting Network. International Whaling Commission. Retrieved from http://wildwhales.org/watching-whales/whale-watching-guidelines/
Dengate, C. (2014) Underwater photographer Joel Coleman has a once-in-a-lifetime whale photo shoot at Freshwater. Daily Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/underwater-photographer-joel-coleman-has-a-onceinalifetime-whale-photo-shoot-at-freshwater/story-fngr8hax-1226971776473?nk=a067438e15babef58b1e8d61861083ef
Senigaglia V., Bejder L., Christiansen F., Gendron D., Lundquist D., Noren D.,…& Lusseau D. (2014). Meta-analyses of whalewatching impact studies: differences and similarities in disturbance responses among species. Retrieved from http://iwc.int/private/downloads/burvztaqbdsg8sk8gwoc4g4o0/SC-64-WW6.pdf
Subbaraman, N. (2013). Even sonar within ‘safe’ limits may be harming endangered whales. NBC News. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/even-sonar-within-safe-limits-may-be-harming-endangered-whales-f6C10516930
Pappas, S. (2012). Famous Begging Dolphin Found Dead. LiveScience. Retrieved fromhttp://www.livescience.com/23412-famous-begging-dolphin-found-dead.html