Dolphin and whale watching – usually consisting of boat trips to see a range of marine life – makes an important contribution to numerous economies and is emerging as an industry in many other countries.
The income that it brings represents an economic opportunity for many communities around the world. However, the rapid growth of the number of whale watching organisations and the size of vessels used is known to affect cetaceans behaviour, migratory patterns and breathing cycles.
Our standard helps operators assess threats, promote best practices and support a responsible and sustainable industry.