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Whale-watching in Juneau, AK: assessing potential effects on humpback whales and understanding the passenger experience

Investigator

Heidi Pearson Heidi PearsonDepartment of Natural Sciences
University of Alaska Southeast

Student

Synopsis

Whale watching is a global multibillion-dollar industry that provides important economic benefits and intangible benefits such as increased environmental awareness and conservation advocacy. As the whale watch industry grows, the health of whale populations and thus the viability of the industry may be jeopardized if whale watch pressure changes foraging behavior or causes chronic stress. The goal of this project is to assess the costs and benefits of whale watching in Juneau, Alaska, a premier whale watching destination. This project will: (1) identify costs by determining if whale movement and behavioral patterns are affected by whale watch vessel presence; (2) determine how these costs are related to the number, type, and proximity of vessels to whales, and whale group size, group type, and residency; and (3) identify benefits by measuring the educational and conservation value of whale watching. The project will use a surveyor's instrument or theodolite to observe changes to humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) movement and behavior according to whale watch vessel presence. Surveys will be administered to whale watch passengers to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, values, intentions, and behaviors before and after whale watching. Results of this project will be shared with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) so that whale viewing regulations and guidelines may be refined and improved. Results will also be shared with whale watch operators to increase the effectiveness of onboard educational messages. The project will contribute to the growing body of literature on whale watch effects throughout the world and will be useful in developing appropriate and effective management strategies.

More information on this project can be found in a video describing the study and the BREACH lab.

This project has been highlighted in Juneau Empire and the CBC News.

Overview

The issue

Whale watching is an important revenue source in Southeast Alaska communities such as Juneau. However, the viability of the industry is critically dependent on the health of its resource, the whales. In recent years, the whale watch industry has burgeoned in Juneau and NMFS regulations are often not followed. Furthermore, short- and long-term effects of increased vessel pressure on whales are unknown. Only one study has assessed whale watch impacts in Juneau, and this was conducted 15 years ago when the whale population and industry were much smaller. There is a dire need to update this information and supplement it with an examination of the educational and conservation benefits of whale watching. Understanding these costs and benefits is essential for creating a mutually beneficial industry for tour operators, local communities, whales, and coastal ecosystems upon which all of these entities depend. This project coincides with Whale SENSE, a voluntary NMFS program for tour operators that aims to promote best practices in whale viewing behavior.

Why is this an Alaska Sea Grant project?

This project relates to 2014–2017 Alaska Sea Grant Strategic Plan Goal 1, “Healthy marine, coastal, and watershed ecosystems in Alaska,” specifically Strategy 3, “Develop and advise on best practices for commercial operators or boaters interacting with wildlife” and Strategy 5, “Provide decision makers with science-based information that can be used in developing policies governing use and conservation of resources.”

Research collaborators

Orca Enterprises
NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region

Results

What researchers learned

During our first field season in Juneau, we assessed the cost of whale watching by observing changes to whale behavior, and the benefits of whale watching by assessing conservation and education benefits to passengers. Preliminary results based on observations of 157 humpback whale groups over 399 hours indicate that the average speed of whales being followed by boats is higher than those that are not. Further, more than two times as many observations of surface activity were observed in the presence vs. absence of boats. These results indicate that whales may increase energetic expenditure in the presence of whale watch vessels. Preliminary results based on 979 passenger surveys completed before, just after, or six months after a whale watch revealed that the percentage of passengers knowledgeable of guidelines and regulations doubled after a whale watch. Furthermore, between the before, after, and six-month survey periods, passengers more strongly supported the regulations enacted for the protection of whales. As guidelines and regulations are likely to become increasingly important in Juneau to mitigate any potential negative effects of whale watching, whale watch experiences have the potential to increase passenger support of these measures. Ultimately, this may lead to a positive feedback loop where passenger experience encourages operator compliance with guidelines and regulations.

Research impacts

Alaska Sea Grant study shows whale watchers learn about and support whale protection laws via commercial tour experiences

Recap: Alaska Sea Grant research shows that commercial whale watch tours provide education about whale watching guidelines and regulations—passengers more strongly supported regulations to protect whales after the excursions than before, indicating that whale watch educational experiences have the potential to increase passenger support of conservation and industry regulation.

Relevance: Whale watching is a global multibillion-dollar industry that provides important economic benefits and intangible benefits such as increased environmental awareness and conservation advocacy. As the whale watch industry grows, the health of whale populations and thus the viability of the industry may be jeopardized. The goal of an Alaska Sea Grant project is to assess the costs and benefits of whale watching in Juneau, Alaska, a premier whale watching destination.

Response: Alaska Sea Grant researchers quantified the educational and conservation value of whale watching excursions by conducting surveys before, just after, and six months after the experiences to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, values, intentions, and behaviors. They administered 2,331 surveys to passengers who boarded buses to and from a whale watching excursion. Six months later, online surveys were sent to passengers who provided email addresses.

Results: Surveys revealed that the percentage of passengers knowledgeable of whale watching guidelines and regulations increased eightfold after a whale watching excursion. Furthermore, passengers more strongly supported the regulations enacted for the protection of whales after the excursions. Preliminary results indicate that whale watch experiences have the potential to increase passenger support for conservation measures and that passengers may be supportive of whale watch companies that adhere to guidelines and regulations. Investigators are sharing the results with the National Marine Fisheries Service so that whale viewing regulations and guidelines may be refined and improved. They are also sharing results with whale watch operators to increase the effectiveness of onboard educational messages.


Alaska Sea Grant research indicates whale watch vessels may lead to increased energetic expenditure by whales

Recap: Alaska Sea Grant researchers observed that whales showed greater swimming speeds and higher reorientation rates in the presence of vessels, and had decreased time between blows as the number of vessels increased, suggesting that whale watch vessels may lead to increased energetic expenditure by whales.

Relevance: Whale watching is a global multibillion-dollar industry that provides important economic benefits. In Juneau, Alaska, a premier whale watching destination that hosts a million cruise ship passengers each year, the number of whale watching boats has increased by 50% since 2000. As the whale watch industry grows, the health of whale populations and thus the viability of the industry may be jeopardized if whale watch pressure changes foraging behavior or causes chronic stress.

Response: Alaska Sea Grant researchers used a theodolite (surveyor instrument) to observe and track North Pacific humpback whale movement and behavior in relation to whale watch vessel presence. Scientists made 204 observations of humpback whales over 835 hours. The objectives were to (1) identify if whale watch vessel presence affects whale movement and behavioral patterns and (2) determine if the number of whale watch vessels affects whale movement and behavioral patterns.

Results: Preliminary results show that in the presence of vessels, whales have greater swimming speeds and higher reorientation rates. Further, inter-breath intervals (time between blows) decreased in the presence of vessels and as the number of vessels increased. The results suggest that whale watch vessels may lead to increased energetic expenditure by whales. While results show short-term behavioral responses to vessels, further study is needed to determine long-term cumulative effects.