University of Bohol

College of Tourism/Hospitality Management

eco tourism
Prepared by Charles Erwin Suico, MBA-TRM
Whale & Dolphin
Watching
History of whale watching introduction
Whale & dolphin watching is the activity of
observing and identifying cetaceans in their natural
environment for recreation or for educational
purposes.
Cetaceans are large ocean mammal that has a
streamlined body with forelimbs modified as
flippers, no hind limbs, and a blowhole on the back,
e.g. a whale or a dolphin.
Cetology is a branch of zoology that refers to the
scientific study of whales, dolphins, and related
mammals.
History of whale watching introduction
The first organized whale watching activity
began in 1950 when the Cabrillo National
Monument in San Diego declared a public
venue for observing Gray Whales and the
spectacle attracted 10,000 visitors in its first
year.

In 1955 the first water-based whale watching

was organized in the same area, charging
customers $1 per trip to view the whales at
closer quarters
History of whale watching introduction
The first commercial whale watching activity
took place was organized in 1971 by the
Montreal Zoological Society offering trips to the
St. Lawrence River to view Fin and Beluga
whales.
History of whale watching introduction
Erich Hoyt published the first comprehensive book
on whale watching in 1984 entitled “The Whale
Watcher's Handbook”

The first worldwide survey of

whale watching was
conducted by Erich Hoyt
around 1985 for the Whale
and Dolphin Conservation
Society (WDCS) and
finished in 1992.
History of whale watching introduction
Whale & dolphin watching activity in the
Philippines began in 1993 when people realized that
such activity is possible in the country

The first whale watching

activity in the country
was launched and
conducted on the same
year (1993) in Visayas
through the efforts of Bookmark, Siliman University,
the Department of Tourism and some volunteers
History of whale watching introduction
Louella Dolar of Siliman University and Dr. Bill
Perrin of Southwest Fisheries Science Center (USA)
reported that there are 19 species of whales and
dolphins in the country (present count is 21)
History of whale watching introduction
In the early1990’s, the rate of extraction of marine
mammals in Pamilican Island has reached to an
alarming level that it caught the attention of the
national government and the international
community
In response, the provincial gov’t has created the
Inter-agency Task Force on Marine Mammal
Conservation solely for the purpose of protecting
and conserving the whales and dolphins of the
province
History of whale watching introduction
As a result, the Philippine government has
banned the catching, selling, or transporting of
dolphins and whales since1992 thru:
Fisheries Administrative Order 185
Fisheries Administrative Order 208
Animal Welfare Act of 1998
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
has also banned the capture of manta rays and
shark in 1998
History of whale watching introduction
In 1997, World Wildlife Fund together with DOT
implemented a Marine Resource Conservation
Project called the
“Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale
Watching Village Integrated Development
Program” which lasted for 3 years.
In 1998, Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale
Watching Organization was formed with over 100
members
Thru the program, former whale-hunting boats
are being converted into whale watching tour boats
history of whale hunting introduction
Whale hunting dates back to at least 3, 000B.C.
Whaling is the practice of hunting whales
primarily for the purpose of obtaining its meat and oil
Industrial whaling started in 17th century
Factory whaling ships along with the concept of
whale harvesting was introduced in the 20th century
history of
whale & dolphin watching introduction
As technology increased and demand for the
resources remained, catches of whales far exceeded the
sustainable limit for whale stocks.
In the late 1930s, more than 50,000 whales were
killed annually and by the middle of the century
whale stocks were not being replenished.
In 1986, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned
commercial whaling so that stocks might recover.
whale hunting introduction
whale hunting introduction
whale hunting introduction
whale hunting introduction
whale hunting introduction
whale hunting introduction
whale hunting introduction
whale hunting introduction
whale hunting introduction
origin of whale hunters introduction
equipments
knife in whale hunting
introduction
steel hook introduction
boat introduction
lots of courage introduction
Cetacean Species
In the Philippines
Bryde’s Whale
Minke Whale
Humpback Whale
Sperm Whale
Pygmy Sperm Whale
Dwarf Sperm Whale
Killer Whale
Risso’s Dolphin
Finless Porpoises
Melon-Headed Whale
Pygmy Killer Whale
Short-Finned Pilot Whale
Rough Toothed Dolphin
Blainville’s Beaked Whale
Spinner Dolphin
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Fraser’ Dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphin
False Killer Whale
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Striped Dolphin
Sea Cow
whale watching
ethics &guidelines
why do we need guidelines?introduction
The diversity and complexity of the marine life
in the Philippines is truly extraordinary yet a
completely fragile environment

Pollution, climate change, and human activities

makes it vulnerable for disturbance, destruction or
even extinction

The bottomline – to minimize the impact

created by people to the marine environment to
have an enjoyable wildlife
encounter
what is disturbance? introduction
Disturbance is when we interfere with an
animal’s ability to hunt, feed, communicate, socialize,
rest, breed or care for their young.
These are critical life processes, necessary for
healthy marine wildlife populations
the guidelines introduction
1. BE CAUTIOUS AND COURTEOUS – Approach
areas of known marine life presence with extreme
caution. Look in all areas before planning to
approach or depart the area
2. SLOW DOWN – Reduce boat speed to less than 7
knots when within 400 meters of the nearest whale.
3. KEEP THE WHALES PATH CLEAR – If whales
are approaching you, cautiously move out of the
way
the guidelines introduction
4. DO NOT APPROACH – Don’t approach whales
from the front or behind. Always approach or
depart whales from the side, moving in a direction
parallel to the direction of whales
5. DO NOT POSITION – Do not position your vessel
closer than 100 meters to any whale
6. NEUTRALIZE ENGINE – If your vessel is not in
compliance with the 100 meter approach guideline,
put your vessel’s engine to neutral and allow whales
to pass
the guidelines introduction
7. ONE VESSEL AT A TIME – No other vessel shall
approach any whale within 300 meters if two or
more other vessels are positioned to watch the
cetaceans
8. STAY ON THE OFFSHORE SIDE – Stay on the
offshore side of the whales when they are travelling
close to the shore
9. DO NOT DROP ANCHOR – Do not drop or lower
down anchor of your vessel if you are within 300
meters of a cetacean
the guidelines introduction
10. LIMIT VIEWING TIME – The maximum viewing
time for cetaceans is 20 minutes. This will minimize
the cumulative impact of many vessel and give
consideration to other viewers
11. DO NOT INTERMINGLE – Do not touch, feed, or
swim with whales and dolphins
12. DON’T PLAY SOUND RECORDING – Do not
play back sound or recording of any kind
underwater
the guidelines introduction
13. DON’T DRIVE THROUGH GROUP OF
DOLPHINS – Don’t drive thru group of dolphins to
encourage bow or stern riding
14. AVOID SUDDEN COURSE OF ACTIONS –
Should dolphins choose to ride the bow wave of
your vessel, avoid making changes or sudden course
of actions. Hold course and speed or reduce speed
gradually
15. DO NOT PURSUE – Do not pursue mother and calf
groups of any species of whale
the guidelines introduction
16. DO NOT COME CLOSE – Do not approach any
whale that is accompanied by a calf or calves within
200 meters
17. DON’T CHANGE SPEED – If a mother and a calf
group approaches a vessel that is already halted or
proceeding at minimal speed, the vessel should not
make sudden or repeated changes in speed or
direction while near or among the mother and calf
group, except in an emergency
the guidelines introduction
18. CHECK NAUTICAL CHARTS – Check nautical
charts for locations of marine protected areas
19. FOLLOW RESTRICTIONS – Always follow
regulation, policies, and restrictions governing the
operation and conduct of whale and dolphin
watching.
20. REPORT VIOLATION OR EMERGENCIES –
Report any emergencies or activity that breach or
violate the protection, conservation, preservation of
the cetaceans welfare and habitat to authorities
immediately
be whale wise! introduction
be whale wise! introduction
be whale wise! introduction
be whale wise! introduction
be whale wise! introduction
be whale wise! introduction
be whale wise! introduction
 end of
presentation