Examining the Impacts of Ecotourism on Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Panama

Cetacean-based ecotourism is a popular activity and an important source of revenue for many countries. Whale watching, a subset of cetacean-based ecotourism, is vital to supporting conservation efforts and provides numerous benefits to local communities including educational opportunities and job creation. However, the sustainability of whale-based ecotourism depends on the behavior and health of whale populations and is therefore vital that ecotourism industries consider the impact their activities have on whale reproductive behavior. To address this statement, behavioral data (e.g. direction change, breaching, slap behaviors, diving, and spy hops) were collected from humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Las Perlas Archipelago off the Pacific coast of Panama to determine if vessel presence had an influence on whale behaviors. Studies were recorded during their breeding season from August through September in 2019. Based on 47 behavioral observations, higher boat density corresponded with humpback whales changing direction which is believed to be a sign of disturbance. This result is important given Panamanian regulations implemented on February 13 of 2007 prohibit whale-based tourism from disturbing whales, which is measured as changes in behavior. Because there is no systematic monitoring of whale watching activity to enforce the regulations, there is currently little compliance among tour operators. The integration of animal behavior research into management planning will result in more effective regulation and compliance of conservation policies.