Loud tourist boats endanger the long-term survival of whales

A new study published in the journal Scientific Reports has examined how whale watching boats with louder engines impact short finned pilot whales. Previous research suggests that boats can change whale behavior. The impact of boat noise on toothed whales remains uncertain, however, and there are no regulations on the noise levels of whale watching boats. 

“Commercial whale-watching is a growing, multi-billion-dollar tourism industry globally,” wrote the study authors. “In 2009, 13 million people participated in whale-watching tours across 119 countries and overseas territories, spending more than USD $2.1 billion.”

“The growth of whale-watching globally brings a subsequent rise in the number and/or size of vessels used to watch cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises). Whale-watching has been viewed as a non-invasive activity, and an economic alternative to whaling.” 

“Whale-watch vessels, however, spend large amounts of time within close proximities of cetaceans, and consequently, can have adverse fitness consequences on targeted individuals or populations.”

Patricia Arranz led the research project, which utilized drones to watch mother-calf pairs of short finned pilot whales off the coast of Spain. Thirteen of these pairs were observed without the presence of a boat and twenty three pairs were observed in the presence of boats with either loud petrol (gasoline) engines or quiet electric engines. 

The boats slowly passed the whales at a distance of approximately 60 meters, complying with the laws of the Canary Islands. 

The scientists discovered that whales who were not approached by a boat with a louder petrol motor spent more time resting and nursing than those near louder engines. The mother whales approached by the loud engines spent an average of 29 percent less time resting and, even more disturbingly, 81 percent less time nursing their calves. 

With the quieter electric engines, there was no significant change in whale behavior when approached. This suggests that quieter motors can be beneficial to ethical whale watching. 

The researchers point out that the less time the whale calves spend nursing and resting, the more energy they consume. This reduces the likelihood calves will survive to adulthood. 

The research shows that even when current guidelines are met, whales can be disrupted from their normal behavior. The scientists suggest that their findings call for a change in the whale-watching guidelines, and that engine noises should be reduced for the long-term survival of the whales.           

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By Zach Fitzner, Earth.com Staff Writer