Monitoring tourism schooners observing estuarine dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in the Estuarine Complex of Cananéia, south-east Brazil
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Published source details
Filla G.d.F. & Monteiro-Filho E.L.d.A (2009) Monitoring tourism schooners observing estuarine dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in the Estuarine Complex of Cananéia, south-east Brazil. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 19, 772-778.
Published source details Filla G.d.F. & Monteiro-Filho E.L.d.A (2009) Monitoring tourism schooners observing estuarine dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in the Estuarine Complex of Cananéia, south-east Brazil. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 19, 772-778.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Introduce and enforce regulations for marine and freshwater mammal watching tours Action Link |
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Introduce and enforce regulations for marine and freshwater mammal watching tours
A replicated, controlled study in 2004–2006 at three sites in the Cananéia estuary, São Paulo, Brazil (Filla et al. 2009) found that when tour boats followed regulations for approaching dolphins, fewer Guiana dolphins Sotalia guianensis had negative reactions to the boats compared to when regulations were not followed. Overall, fewer Guiana dolphins moved away, changed direction, altered their dives or separated from groups when tour boats followed approach regulations (6 of 84, 7%) than when they did not (18 of 19 dolphins, 95%). The other Guiana dolphins encountered did not appear to react (with regulations: 37 of 84 dolphins, 44%; without regulations: 0 of 19 dolphins, 0%) or had positive reactions (following, fishing or surfing alongside the boat; with regulations: 41 of 84 dolphins, 49%; without regulations: 1 of 19 dolphins; 5%). Dolphin-watching tours of three types (59 short cruises, 16 long cruises, eight educational courses) were carried out between December and March 2004–2006. Skippers either followed approach regulations (approached to 100 m slowly and from the side) or did not (approached within 3–50 m, passed through or chased groups of dolphins; number of tours for each not reported). Onboard observers recorded approach procedures and dolphin behaviour during each of 83 tours for a total of 112 h.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
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