Location
SPREP LIBRARY
Publisher
Auckland University of Technology
Publication Year:
2019
Publication Place
Auckland, New Zealand
Physical Description:
21 p.
Call Number
[EL]
Relevant Countries
Tonga
Material Type
Language
English
Record ID:
43823Available online
Subject Heading(s)
Whale - Tourists attraction
Humpwhales - Swimming activities - Tourism
Abstract
Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, is a well-established whale-watching destination in the South Pacific. Between July and October, the waters around the archipelago represent one of the most important breeding grounds for Oceania humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The Tongan government allows tourist swimming activities with whales and tour operators strongly promote the practice of swimming-with-whales, focusing primarily on mother-calf pairs. However, there is increasing evidence, derived from empirical research on swim-withcetacean tourism, that this kind of interaction affects cetacean behaviour and can lead to negative effects on the cetaceans involved. This study represents the first assessment of humpback whales’ behavioural responses to vessel and swimmer approaches in Vava’u. Fifty-six surveys took place during the 2016 and 2017 whale breeding seasons aboard dedicated research and tour vessels. Whale dive time, number of reorientation events, and respiration rates were documented in both the absence and presence of boats and swimmers. Vessel approach type, swimmer placement, and whale avoidance responses were also recorded
Location
SPREP LIBRARY
Publisher
Auckland University of Technology
Publication Year:
2019
Publication Place
Auckland, New Zealand
Physical Description:
21 p.
Call Number
[EL]
Relevant Countries
Tonga
Material Type
Language
English
Record ID:
43823 Record Created: 10-Feb-2021
Record Modified: 20-Sep-2022