The modelling and assessment of whale-watching impacts

Leslie Frances New; Ailsa Jane Hall; R. Harcourt; G. Kaufman; E.C.M. Parsons; H.C. Pearson; A.M. Cosentino; Robert Schilling Schick

doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.04.006

The modelling and assessment of whale-watching impacts

Leslie Frances New, Ailsa Jane Hall, R. Harcourt, G. Kaufman, E.C.M. Parsons, H.C. Pearson, A.M. Cosentino, Robert Schilling Schick

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

In recent years there has been significant interest in modelling cumulative effects and the population consequences of individual changes in cetacean behaviour and physiology due to disturbance. One potential source of disturbance that has garnered particular interest is whale-watching. Though perceived as 'green' or eco-friendly tourism, there is evidence that whale-watching can result in statistically significant and biologically meaningful changes in cetacean behaviour, raising the question whether whale-watching is in fact a long term sustainable activity. However, an assessment of the impacts of whale-watching on cetaceans requires an understanding of the potential behavioural and physiological effects, data to effectively address the question and suitable modelling techniques. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the viability of long-term whale-watching, as well as logistical limitations and potential opportunities. We conclude that an integrated, coordinated approach will be needed to further understanding of the possible effects of whale-watching on cetaceans.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	10-16
Journal	Ocean and Coastal Management
Volume	115
Early online date	15 Apr 2015
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.04.006
Publication status	Published - Oct 2015

Keywords

Anthropogenic impacts
Disturbance
Management
Marine mammals
Sustainable tourism

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.04.006

Hall_2015_OCM_Modelling_CC
Copyright 2015 the Authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
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PCAD Tools II: Statistical Tools for Fitting Models of the Population Consequences of Acoustic Disturbance to Data from Marine Mammal Populations
Thomas, L. (PI), Harris, C. M. (CoI) & Harwood, J. (CoI)
1/07/12 → 31/03/15
Project: Standard
NERC Core Grant: SMRU NERC Core Grant
Hall, A. J. (PI)
NERC
1/04/10 → 31/03/23
Project: Standard

Cite this

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title = "The modelling and assessment of whale-watching impacts",

abstract = "In recent years there has been significant interest in modelling cumulative effects and the population consequences of individual changes in cetacean behaviour and physiology due to disturbance. One potential source of disturbance that has garnered particular interest is whale-watching. Though perceived as 'green' or eco-friendly tourism, there is evidence that whale-watching can result in statistically significant and biologically meaningful changes in cetacean behaviour, raising the question whether whale-watching is in fact a long term sustainable activity. However, an assessment of the impacts of whale-watching on cetaceans requires an understanding of the potential behavioural and physiological effects, data to effectively address the question and suitable modelling techniques. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the viability of long-term whale-watching, as well as logistical limitations and potential opportunities. We conclude that an integrated, coordinated approach will be needed to further understanding of the possible effects of whale-watching on cetaceans.",

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AU - New, Leslie Frances

AU - Hall, Ailsa Jane

AU - Harcourt, R.

AU - Kaufman, G.

AU - Parsons, E.C.M.

AU - Pearson, H.C.

AU - Cosentino, A.M.

AU - Schick, Robert Schilling

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N2 - In recent years there has been significant interest in modelling cumulative effects and the population consequences of individual changes in cetacean behaviour and physiology due to disturbance. One potential source of disturbance that has garnered particular interest is whale-watching. Though perceived as 'green' or eco-friendly tourism, there is evidence that whale-watching can result in statistically significant and biologically meaningful changes in cetacean behaviour, raising the question whether whale-watching is in fact a long term sustainable activity. However, an assessment of the impacts of whale-watching on cetaceans requires an understanding of the potential behavioural and physiological effects, data to effectively address the question and suitable modelling techniques. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the viability of long-term whale-watching, as well as logistical limitations and potential opportunities. We conclude that an integrated, coordinated approach will be needed to further understanding of the possible effects of whale-watching on cetaceans.

AB - In recent years there has been significant interest in modelling cumulative effects and the population consequences of individual changes in cetacean behaviour and physiology due to disturbance. One potential source of disturbance that has garnered particular interest is whale-watching. Though perceived as 'green' or eco-friendly tourism, there is evidence that whale-watching can result in statistically significant and biologically meaningful changes in cetacean behaviour, raising the question whether whale-watching is in fact a long term sustainable activity. However, an assessment of the impacts of whale-watching on cetaceans requires an understanding of the potential behavioural and physiological effects, data to effectively address the question and suitable modelling techniques. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the viability of long-term whale-watching, as well as logistical limitations and potential opportunities. We conclude that an integrated, coordinated approach will be needed to further understanding of the possible effects of whale-watching on cetaceans.

KW - Anthropogenic impacts

KW - Disturbance

KW - Management

KW - Marine mammals

KW - Sustainable tourism

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JO - Ocean and Coastal Management

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The modelling and assessment of whale-watching impacts

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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Projects

PCAD Tools II: Statistical Tools for Fitting Models of the Population Consequences of Acoustic Disturbance to Data from Marine Mammal Populations

NERC Core Grant: SMRU NERC Core Grant

Cite this