Effectiveness of voluntary conservation agreements: case study of endangered whales and commercial whale watching.

摘要: : The use of voluntary approaches to achieve conservation goals is becoming increasingly popular. Nevertheless, few researchers have quantitatively evaluated their efficacy. In 1998 industry, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations established a program for whale watching in the northeast region United States, with intent avoid collisions harassment endangered whales by commercial recreational whale-watching vessels. One important aspect was establishment 3 speed zones within specific distances whales. We wanted determine level compliance this gauge its efficacy gain insights into effectiveness measures as tool. Inconspicuous observers accompanied 46 trips from 12 companies 2003 (n= 35) 2004 11). During each trip, vessel position were collected at 5-second intervals GPS receiver. Binoculars internal laser rangefinders digital compasses used record range bearing sighted mapped locations ArcGIS. created speed-zone buffers around overlaid them vessel-track data evaluate compliance. Speeds excess those recommended considered noncompliant. judged magnitude noncompliance comparing vessel's maximum zone recorded trip speed. The high (mean 0.78; company 0.74–0.88), some more compliant than others (p= 0.02), significantly higher farther (p < 0.001), operators approached capabilities all zones. did not goal substantially limiting near Our results support need programs quantifiable metrics frequent evaluation ensure efficacy. Resumen: El uso de enfoques voluntarios para alcanzar metas conservacion se esta volviendo cada vez mas Sin embargo, pocos investigadores han evaluado su eficacia cuantitativamente. En 1998, la industria, las agencias gubernamentales y no establecieron un programa voluntario observacion ballenas en noreste los Estados Unidos, con intencion evitar colisiones molestias peligro embarcaciones comerciales recreativa ballenas. Un aspecto importante del fue el establecimiento zonas velocidad dentro distancias especificas Quisimos determinar nivel cumplimiento este medir percibir efectividad medidas voluntarias como una herramienta conservacion. Observadores inconspicuos acompanaron viajes comercial companias viaje, posicion barco fueron registradas intervalos 5 segundos receptor GPS. Se utilizaron binoculares telemetro interno brujulas digitales registrar distancia rumbo avistadas. Elabiramos mapas localizacion Creamos areas amortiguamiento alrededor avistadas sobrepusimos datos evaluar cumplimiento. Las velocidades exceso recomendadas por consideradas incumplimiento. Juzgamos magnitud incumplimiento mediante comparacion maxima embarcacion zona registrada. El alto (media rango compania 0.74-0.88), algunas cumplieron que otras significativamente alejadas (p< operadores aproximaron capacidades maximas todas zonas. alcanzo meta limitar cerca Nuestros resultados soportan necesidad lo programas tengan cuantificables sean evaluados frecuentemente asegurar eficacia.