41
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018
M.R. Rossi-Santos, C.W. Finkl (eds.), Advances in Marine Vertebrate Research
in Latin America, Coastal Research Library 22,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-56985-7_3
Chapter 3
An Integrated Framework to Assess
the Carrying Capacity of Humpback
Whale- Watching Tourism in Praia do Forte,
Northeastern Brazil
Luena Fernandes and Marcos R. Rossi-Santos
Abstract Whale-watching tourism has been growing in recent years in Praia do
Forte, northeastern Brazil and to manage this activity in a sustainable manner it is
important to determine its carrying capacity. However, an assessment of whalewatching carrying capacity requires an understanding of the biological, social and
economic dimensions, as well as consideration of the several stakeholders involved
and the current management capacity in place at a specific locality. Here we analyse
the development of this activity in Brazil and Praia do Forte in recent years, the current state of knowledge about the potential impacts of whale-watching on humpback whales and the concept of tourism carrying capacity as it applies to
whale-watching. We then bring all of these components together to propose an integrated framework to begin its assessment for Praia do Forte, northeastern Brazil. We
conclude that whale-watching in Praia do Forte is currently a low-impact activity,
with no evident deleterious biological effects on the target population although we
still lack all necessary information to establish its carrying capacity. Therefore, we
suggest limiting the activity to its current level, until more data and management
capacity become available, and make recommendations to improve our understanding of the impacts of this activity and its sustainable management in this locality.
L. Fernandes (*)
Projeto Baleia Jubarte/Instituto Baleia Jubarte, Av. do Farol, 2907, Praia do Forte,
Mata de São João, Bahia 48287-000, Brazil
Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento, Universidade Federal da
Bahia, Rua Barao de Jeremoabo, 147, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia 44170-110, Brazil
e-mail: luena.fernandes@baleiajubarte.org.br
M.R. Rossi-Santos
Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento, Universidade Federal da
Bahia, Rua Barao de Jeremoabo, 147, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia 44170-110, Brazil
Laboratório de Ecologia Acústica e Comportamento Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias,
Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia,
Rua Rui Barbosa, 710, Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia 48380-000, Brazil
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018
M.R. Rossi-Santos, C.W. Finkl (eds.), Advances in Marine Vertebrate Research
in Latin America, Coastal Research Library 22,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-56985-7_3
Chapter 3
An Integrated Framework to Assess
the Carrying Capacity of Humpback
Whale- Watching Tourism in Praia do Forte,
Northeastern Brazil
Luena Fernandes and Marcos R. Rossi-Santos
Abstract Whale-watching tourism has been growing in recent years in Praia do
Forte, northeastern Brazil and to manage this activity in a sustainable manner it is
important to determine its carrying capacity. However, an assessment of whalewatching carrying capacity requires an understanding of the biological, social and
economic dimensions, as well as consideration of the several stakeholders involved
and the current management capacity in place at a specific locality. Here we analyse
the development of this activity in Brazil and Praia do Forte in recent years, the current state of knowledge about the potential impacts of whale-watching on humpback whales and the concept of tourism carrying capacity as it applies to
whale-watching. We then bring all of these components together to propose an integrated framework to begin its assessment for Praia do Forte, northeastern Brazil. We
conclude that whale-watching in Praia do Forte is currently a low-impact activity,
with no evident deleterious biological effects on the target population although we
still lack all necessary information to establish its carrying capacity. Therefore, we
suggest limiting the activity to its current level, until more data and management
capacity become available, and make recommendations to improve our understanding of the impacts of this activity and its sustainable management in this locality.
L. Fernandes (*)
Projeto Baleia Jubarte/Instituto Baleia Jubarte, Av. do Farol, 2907, Praia do Forte,
Mata de São João, Bahia 48287-000, Brazil
Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento, Universidade Federal da
Bahia, Rua Barao de Jeremoabo, 147, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia 44170-110, Brazil
e-mail: luena.fernandes@baleiajubarte.org.br
M.R. Rossi-Santos
Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento, Universidade Federal da
Bahia, Rua Barao de Jeremoabo, 147, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia 44170-110, Brazil
Laboratório de Ecologia Acústica e Comportamento Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias,
Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia,
Rua Rui Barbosa, 710, Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia 48380-000, Brazil