104
was recorded, including first records for the area of short-finned pilot whale
(Globicephala macrorhynchus) and a stranded Striped dolphin calf (Stenella
coeruleoalba).
Humpback whales were studied at Bahía Málaga (Pacific coast) from a 20 m asl
LBS using binoculars at the peak of the breeding season (Ávila et al. 2015). In the
presence of whalewatching boats, whales reduced the number of blows per minute,
increased swimming speed and moved more erratically increased breaching
frequency, and decreased resting behavior. Authors highlight that despite the existence of local regulations it is important to focus on environmental education to
promote compliance.
4.3.5 Ecuador
Humpback whales were studied at Isla de La Plata, Machalilla National Park, from
a 90 m asl land-based station equipped with a theodolite (Sheidat et al. 2004). The
research aimed to characterize the species movement patterns (swim speed and path
directness) while in the absence and presence of boats. Based on gathered results it
was recommended that boats limit their closest approach to 100 m, and that no more
than two boats should be within 1 km of a target group during whalewatching trips.
Although regulated, current guidelines need to be improved in order to enhance
whales’ protection and guarantee the sustainability of this important economic
activity in Ecuador (Sheidat et al. 2004).
4.3.6 Mexico
Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) was studied during their migration in the vicinity of Todos Santos Bay from a land-based station in order to investigate the influence of whalewatching boats (Heckel et al. 2001). The study was conducted from a
lighthouse (51.64 m asl) equipped with a theodolite during two consecutive boreal
winter seasons. The goal was to verify if the current whalewatching regulation was
well adapted to this area and to the whales’ migratory behavior. In doing so, it highlights an important aspect of behavioral studies: the necessity of study target species’ behavior in each different habitat instead of considering that the species behave
in the same way no matter the habitat characteristics and the behavioral context
(e.g., reproduction, feeding, migration). Heckel et al. (2001) recommended the
avoidance of head-on approaches during whalewatching trips in this migratory distribution zone and highlighted the fact that whalewatching industries behave differently in each area, an aspect that must be taken into consideration.
M.E. Morete et al.
was recorded, including first records for the area of short-finned pilot whale
(Globicephala macrorhynchus) and a stranded Striped dolphin calf (Stenella
coeruleoalba).
Humpback whales were studied at Bahía Málaga (Pacific coast) from a 20 m asl
LBS using binoculars at the peak of the breeding season (Ávila et al. 2015). In the
presence of whalewatching boats, whales reduced the number of blows per minute,
increased swimming speed and moved more erratically increased breaching
frequency, and decreased resting behavior. Authors highlight that despite the existence of local regulations it is important to focus on environmental education to
promote compliance.
4.3.5 Ecuador
Humpback whales were studied at Isla de La Plata, Machalilla National Park, from
a 90 m asl land-based station equipped with a theodolite (Sheidat et al. 2004). The
research aimed to characterize the species movement patterns (swim speed and path
directness) while in the absence and presence of boats. Based on gathered results it
was recommended that boats limit their closest approach to 100 m, and that no more
than two boats should be within 1 km of a target group during whalewatching trips.
Although regulated, current guidelines need to be improved in order to enhance
whales’ protection and guarantee the sustainability of this important economic
activity in Ecuador (Sheidat et al. 2004).
4.3.6 Mexico
Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) was studied during their migration in the vicinity of Todos Santos Bay from a land-based station in order to investigate the influence of whalewatching boats (Heckel et al. 2001). The study was conducted from a
lighthouse (51.64 m asl) equipped with a theodolite during two consecutive boreal
winter seasons. The goal was to verify if the current whalewatching regulation was
well adapted to this area and to the whales’ migratory behavior. In doing so, it highlights an important aspect of behavioral studies: the necessity of study target species’ behavior in each different habitat instead of considering that the species behave
in the same way no matter the habitat characteristics and the behavioral context
(e.g., reproduction, feeding, migration). Heckel et al. (2001) recommended the
avoidance of head-on approaches during whalewatching trips in this migratory distribution zone and highlighted the fact that whalewatching industries behave differently in each area, an aspect that must be taken into consideration.
M.E. Morete et al.