Adverse impact of the whale watching industry on cetaceans in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is experiencing a rapid increase of whale watching and dolphin watching in the Southern coastal area (Mirissa), North-West coastal area (Kalpitiya) and North-East coastal area (Trincomalee). In general, Mirissa (site in the South), is the most populated location among both foreign and local tourists relatively to other sites and possess a great tourist attraction for whale and dolphin watching. However, due to the inappropriate practices of whale watching boats operating today, the whales and dolphin are at risk of leaving the country’s marine zones. This is an unfavourable scenario for the economic and social situation in Sri Lanka.

Whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) can be found close to the coastal areas of Sri Lanka in comparison to the coastal areas of other countries. There are deep submarine canoes of the sea in these regions and narrow continental shelf. This is a particularly favourable location for whales and dolphins. The vertical distribution and production of plankton have become abundant food sources because of the abundance of riverine nutrient inputs in these regions. This is why these cetaceans can be found in the sea around Sri Lanka.

Whale and dolphin watching industry

The industry started after the 2004 Tsunami. At first, whales and dolphins are known to wander the sea around Sri Lanka. These whale watching business were targeted with the rise in popularity of foreigners after the 2004 Tsunami.

Earlier, Sri Lanka was one of the world’s most known country about dolphin fisheries. Since this situation is not conducive for the development of the country, strict laws were put in place to control the situation. As a result, Sri Lanka has been able to reduce dolphin fishing in 2004.

Whale watching boat with tourists

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Responsible whale and dolphin watching

The industry has been limited to a few boats earlier but with increasing competition, the number of boats has increased and the regulations and laws of this whale-watching industry has been violated.

According to existing regulations, when a boat arrives at a dolphin, the boat must be stopped at a distance of about 50 meters from where it is located. If you see a whale, the boat must be stopped about 100 meters from where it is located. This standard gap must always be kept between the animal and the boat. Also, the boat should not be flown in such a way that the whale or dolphin will obstruct the direction in which it is swimming. “Don’t approach cetacean’s head on or from behind". Dolphins may choose to bow ride but are unlikely to do so if you chase them and don’t chase whales from behind for a rearview ‘tail shot’.  It’s best to approach whales and dolphins in parallel and keeping at a distance comfortable to them.

Whale and dolphin watching guidelines

Unfortunately, many boat operators ignore these rules and regulations, get closer to whales and dolphins, or sometimes boats move on the body of the whale. Also some Tourists are trying to swim and dive with whales, but this is not allowed according to whale watching guidelines. 

Affect

Death of blue whale due to ship strike (Source:https://splash247.com/routing-for-whales/)

These cetacean come to the surface water to breathe. In this way, the cetacean that breathes it out takes a short breath and dives to another place to take another breath, the tourist boats are chasing the animal. This situation causes cetacean to become stressed. These practices make them panic and threaten by possible accidental contact with vessels and ship noise also causes of disturbance and distortion in the social communication of cetaceans.

Cetacean in Sri Lankan waters are gradually migrating to the deep sea as they are being pushed beyond the shoreline due to whale watching and fishing activity. These animals have now been stopped by the international maritime route that connects the eastern and western parts of the world with Sri Lanka’s shipping lines making whales and dolphin likelihood vulnerable to these ship collisions. If this situation worsens, Sri Lanka will inevitably lose whales and dolphins.

Are the proposed solutions feasible?

Some ocean educators have proposed to take the international sea route off the coast of Sri Lanka to reduce the collision of whale ships. That resolution will not benefit Sri Lanka in any way. Colombo Harbor is undergoing major development. Hambantota also has a port. Sri Lanka is also a maritime hub. It has huge economic benefits for us. In such a scenario, the diversion of this sea route will result in more effort for vessels arriving in Sri Lanka and will have to leave Sri Lanka for ports of entry to other countries. The loss of income to Sri Lanka is immense.

Snapshot of shipping traffic and shipping routes around Sri Lanka at 16:30:35 UTC on the 15th of January 2020.

There must be a balance between the development of a country and the conservation of cetacean. Therefore, as scientists and managers, we are suggesting that Sri Lanka is able to keep this international sea route in place and set the speed limits for ships travelling on this route. They can also use commands to navigate the ship, using a ship's front observer.

Also, it is imperative to tighten and enforce the rules and regulations for whale watching boats. In order to prevent these unfortunate situations, attention should be given to other areas of responsibility. This will help minimize the damage done to the cetacean and avoid a major economic loss to Sri Lanka.

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