468
ducted, and have been the alternative as a commercial activity. Whalewatching
industry has considerable economic and educational potential. With proper regulation and effective enforcement the activity can bring socioeconomic benefits especially for coastal communities of developing countries, often in areas where other
economic options are scarce.
Other potential threats are habitat loss, degradation, and pollution. In the southern portion of the RWEPA, the discharge of coal mining and burning waste for
thermoelectric purposes have been resulting in habitat degradation whose potential
effects on the species are unknown (Palazzo and Groch 2011). The expansion of the
Port of Imbituba represent an additional threat to the species, due both to the risk of
collisions and underwater noise caused by the increase in vessel traffic. The Port is
located in the central area of the RWEPA (Fig. 16.21), adjacent to the main right
whales aggregation bay (Renault-Braga 2014). During the expansion, concluded
Fig. 16.21 A southern right whale sighted in the Port of Imbituba bay. The Port is located in the
central area of the RWEPA, adjacent to the main right whales aggregation bay
K. Groch
ducted, and have been the alternative as a commercial activity. Whalewatching
industry has considerable economic and educational potential. With proper regulation and effective enforcement the activity can bring socioeconomic benefits especially for coastal communities of developing countries, often in areas where other
economic options are scarce.
Other potential threats are habitat loss, degradation, and pollution. In the southern portion of the RWEPA, the discharge of coal mining and burning waste for
thermoelectric purposes have been resulting in habitat degradation whose potential
effects on the species are unknown (Palazzo and Groch 2011). The expansion of the
Port of Imbituba represent an additional threat to the species, due both to the risk of
collisions and underwater noise caused by the increase in vessel traffic. The Port is
located in the central area of the RWEPA (Fig. 16.21), adjacent to the main right
whales aggregation bay (Renault-Braga 2014). During the expansion, concluded
Fig. 16.21 A southern right whale sighted in the Port of Imbituba bay. The Port is located in the
central area of the RWEPA, adjacent to the main right whales aggregation bay
K. Groch