Incorporating visitor experiences into ecologically sustainable dwarf minke whale tourism in the northern Great Barrier Reef

摘要: There is a commercial swim program based on dwarf minke whales, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, in the northern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. During winter months, dive tourists live-aboard vessels operating along outer shelf Ribbon Reefs north of Port Douglas, experience close and often prolonged encounters with these inquisitive little whales while snorkelling SCUBA diving. Only recently recognised as different to their southern hemisphere relatives, are currently regarded an undescribed sub-species minke. They were first documented waters (GBR) 1980s and, despite several years intensive study, we still know very about biology ecology. This lack knowledge some most basic information needed for ecologically sustainable management interactions has been driving force behind our research this study addresses gaps. These two-way both humans being influenced by behaviour each other. It therefore vital that understand much possible all aspects interactions. We have thus used methodologies derived from natural sciences social sciences. Previous studies other marine wildlife shown importance understanding experiences people effectively design test appropriate guidelines (Birtles, Cuthill, Valentine Davis 1996; Davis, Banks, Birtles, Cuthill 1997). Observations whale-swimmer indicated initiation at reefs open water largely controlled whales. Management snorkeller/diver necessary, however, minimize potential harassment ensure under control one key requirements ANZECC Guidelines (2000). working tourism industry develop swimming well providing passengers high quality interpretation material. A proposed Code Practice Dwarf Minke Whale-Human Interactions was developed introduced pre-season workshop June 1999. In addition, operators provided detailed interpretive manual assisting developing own individual materials talks. These Whale Information Packages supplied live-aboards prior 1999 season updated year since workshops. Much content can be seen Project website: www.reef.crc.org.au/about reef/wildlife/minkewhale.html. During 2000 whale seasons GBR, five experiencing regular in-water surveyed using self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire collected four core components task: (1) nature experience, (2) details visitors, (3) visitor assessment of viii their (including Practice), (4) education Package). This two-year survey whale-swim participants addressed people’s expectations encounters, positive negative concern impacts, present practices, support opposition Practice, material. This applied experiential data 527 assess material available vessels. Passenger satisfaction high. Generally, strongly supported although certain recommended procedures received only weak support. These results directly applicable participating operators, feedback passengers’ perceptions encounters. discuss how incorporate such into improving unique human-whale interactions. Results already improve 2001, updates operators’ development draft Brochure passengers. formally evaluated JCU Master Tourism student, Liam Smith, who interviewed opinions tool (Smith, 2000). Some incorporated new brochure 2002 season. This six-page colour (Dwarf Reef: Current State Knowledge May 2002) published CRC Research Centre distributed free downloaded pdf file website www.reef.crc.org.au. ix