With the approach of the humpback whale-watching season in Hawaii and the end of the season in French Polynesia, the high influx of tourist boats and swimmers disturbs whales’ natural behaviours particularly in the mating areas. Local authorities are thus revising their regulations to preserve wildlife while still fulfilling tourism interests.
Hawaii, French Polynesia, and Tonga have become popular whale-watching destinations, drawing substantial visitor numbers during whale migration seasons. In French Polynesia alone, the number of certified whale tourism operators has surged by 50% since 2023, now with 90 companies offering whale encounters. Those who have had the privilege of swimming in close proximity to these gentle giants describe the experience as magical, writes Tahiti Tourisme. The mammals can reach up to 16 metres in length and weigh up to 36 tons.
1. Need for better regulation
Yet, rapid tourism growth has sparked worries about potential harm to the animals. In a report earlier this year, the French Polynesian government highlighted that “increasing pressure on whales from human activities presents a significant threat to these vulnerable creatures.” The report also warned that more whale-focused tourism operators, lead whales to being “relentlessly pestered.”
The push for stricter regulations indicates a growing awareness of tourism’s influence on marine life. For tourists, these regulations promise a more controlled but still fascinating experience, while local operators have to ensure adherence to the imposed standards. One urgent call for these regulations was the death of a humpback whale named Sweet Girl. She died near Tahiti after being hit by a speeding boat, which began the movement to implement regulations referring to boat speed during whale watching.
2. New measures
2.1. French Polynesia
Starting in 2025, French Polynesia is going to tighten some of its regulations for whale-watching tourism. This means that there will be a quota for how many boats are allowed to approach a whale simultaneously. Whale-watching operators will also be restricted to have only one boat per company while private boats will have to stay at least 300 metres away.
On the island of Mo’orea, new rules reduce swimmer proximity to whales to 15 metres, a restriction that has stirred controversy among locals and tourists alike.
2.2. Hawaii
In Hawaii, the regulations took effect in January 2024. They require vessels and individuals to stay at least 92 metres away from whales while aircraft have to maintain at least 304 metres above the water. These rules aim to reduce stress on the animals and protect their natural behaviours. Even though the minimum distance in Hawaii was already 92 metres, now there are prohibitions against approaching whales by boat or in the water. People who would want to get in close contact with humpbacks will be disappointed because direct contact is banned in Hawaii.
3. Benefits of whale watching
Responsible whale watching is beneficial not only for tourists but also for the environment and the ecosystems if the activity is managed properly. They vary and have to be assessed in comparison to the negative ways tourism affects the animals by carefully managed measures.
While there are obvious benefits such as employment and income to communities, whale watching also has educational, ecological, and psychological elements. Whale watching contributes to tourists’ feeling of well-being through experiencing the beauty of the outdoors and the sense of connection with the wilderness. Additionally, it can help with environmental preservation and support ecosystem management. This is done by amplifying the understanding and value of whales and dolphins as well as their needs.
Furthermore, this type of tourism can be used to collect data for long-term photo studies, habitat use, and distribution. All the above-mentioned reasons inspire people to become more environmentally friendly and understand better the needs of the water mammals.
