THE IMPACT OF HUMAN

INTERACTION ON
WHALES
Figure 1

TAYLOR WEATHERLY

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Contents

Abstract............................................................................................................................................3

The Drawbacks of Whale-Watching...............................................................................................3

Boats Collisions with Whales...................................................................................................3

Secondary Effects of Motorized Vessels..................................................................................4

Preventative Measures: Safe Whale-Watching...............................................................................5

Benefits of Whale-Watching Regulations.......................................................................................7

Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8

References........................................................................................................................................9

Figures
Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Abstract

Many whale species, such as right whales, are endangered and at risk of environmental collapse.

Society continues attempting to amend centuries of harm committed against marine life such as

cetaceans like whales. However, when humans embark on open waters and breeding cites to get

a glimpse of these docile creatures and educate passengers on their behaviors, the whales are put

into unnecessary danger. Whales are at a higher risk of boat-related injury and death than other

cetaceans because of their large size and need to surface for air. Whale watching companies are

especially responsible for preventing harm to whale species. Preventative measures that whale

watching companies should enact are avoiding feeding and breeding sites, warning passengers

not to touch wildlife, equipping boats with proper sensory technology.

The Drawbacks of Whale-Watching

Boats Collisions with Whales

Motorized vessels have been recognized as threats to whales’ livelihoods, impacting fin whales

at the highest rate (Laist, et. al). Prior to the 1950s, the occurrence of a boat striking a whale was

a rare occurrence; the invention of faster boat motors propelled occurrences of whale collision

skyward (Laist, et. al). It has been reported that of the 25 documented dead endangered right

whales (1970-1989) off North American coasts, 5 were discovered with wound marks consistent

with boat collision injuries (Laist, et. al). Within a 30-year period, ship strikes resulting in

mortality for right whales increased by 12% making boat collisions a leading cause in injury and

fatality amongst endangered whale populations (Laist, et. al).

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Figure 2

Secondary Effects of Motorized Vessels

With the steady rise in whale tourism, whales are being more frequently exposed to new

unintentional dangers. Whale’s feeding and breeding locations are seen as hot spots for tourism

because whales’ presence is easily predictable due to their natural migratory patterns. However,

the presence of boats may additionally be affecting swimming speed and patterns, duration of

dives, frequency of surfacing, and potentially even population size (The Benefits and Impacts of

Whale Watching).

One study on whale behavior in the presence of marine vessels, conducted by Alicia R. Schuler

and accompanying researches in 2019, found that not only did the presence of boats increase

whales’ respiratory rates, it also caused surface active humpbacks to begin traveling. It may be

concluded that the presence of marine vessel causes whales to experience physical symptoms of

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anxiety. While it is uncertain what these behavioral changes could mean in the long term,

observational research shows that whales, especially humpbacks, experience heightened levels of

stress and display attempts to evade approaching boats (Schuler, et. al). If marine vessels become

a regular interaction with whales, prolonged anxiety may lead to health complications.

Preventative Measures: Safe Whale-Watching

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The whale watching industry has steadily grown over the past several decades, creeping to an

industry of approximately $2 billion USD as of 2009 (Schuler, et. al). While this activity can

greatly benefit society by teaching the importance of marine conservation, there are several

Figure 3
harmful aspects to whale watching which are preventable. One way to improve the whale

watching industry and decrease vessel-related injury is by enforcing legal regulations on

maritime zones that have been identified as breeding or birthing waters. Whale watching vessels

should also travel at speeds under 14 knots (14 nautical miles per hour) when in recognized

zones of frequent whale presence (Schuler, et. al).

Another preventative measure that whale watching companies can enact to minimize the annual

boat-related injury and mortality rate is educating passengers not to touch whales that may

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approach the vessel; petting wildlife can unintentionally condition the animal to seek out humans

and boats more willingly, which means imminent danger for the animal. If whales intentionally

pursue motorized boats traveling at fast speeds, there is a high likelihood of injury or death.

Members of the whale-watching industry should implement and uphold these regulations in

order to ensure the safety of whales and other marine mammals. Safe whale watching practices

such as limited speeds in registered migratory areas, limiting access to certain waters depending

on migratory patterns, and educating passengers about whale-watching safety will guarantee a

healthy, populous whale community and secure jobs within the whale-watching industry. If

whale species are not protected while it is still possible, and their numbers continue to decline,

whale watching as a commercial industry may need to be banned in order to sustain the

populations of these creatures.

Benefits of Whale-Watching Regulations

Whales are very friendly, social creatures and will approach boats if they do not feel threatened,

because boat passengers greet and pet them. By making contact with these marine mammals, via

touching or feeding the wildlife, passengers are conditioning whales to expect attention when

they come into contact with boats. The main reason this is so dangerous is because not all boats

are expecting whales’ presence; marine vessels may be traveling at dangerous speeds when a

whale attempts to approach the boat, causing disastrous damage to the boat and immense harm to

the whale. By educating boat passengers on the intensity and urgency of the situation, a portion

of whales’ deaths and injuries can be avoided.

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Off the coast of California in 2007, within a two-week period, three whales were killed by

vessel-related collisions and two other unstudied carcasses were also identified (Morell). If these

boats were traveling at slower speeds, closer to 14 knots, some of these mortalities may have

been avoided. Small, private boats, can reach up to 60 knots on open waters (Press) which

endangers not only whales, but other cetaceans and marine life as well. “Vessels less than 65 feet

in length have accounted for five of the 12 documented lethal strikes to right whales in U.S.

waters since 2008” (Press). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

reports that by enforcing nautical speed regulations of 10 knots to vessels 65 feet or under,

injuries to right whales can be prevented. Furthermore, if whales are detected, hit, or killed in an

area, the NOAA recommends avoiding these areas or reducing speed to 10 knots. These slower

speeds can significantly prevent whales from being injured or killed because it gives both vessels

and whales time to change direction and avoid a collision.

Conclusion
Boat related collisions are a leading cause in injuries and mortalities amongst whales, especially

right whales which have become critically endangered. To prevent further harm, whale-watching

companies should follow any and all nautical speed recommendations and recommendations to

ensure the safety of any whales inhabiting the area. Vessel captains are also responsible for

educating their passengers on the dangers that touching wildlife poses. This safety precaution

may prevent whales from approaching unexpecting vessels for attention. Overall, the whale-

watching industry needs to keep whales’ safety in mind above everything else, because humans

are intentionally encroaching into their waters to admire them up close; the least we can do is

approach them safely.

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