Boat-based tourism and bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand: The role of management in decreasing dolphin-boat interactions. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guerra, M.; Dawson, S.M.
• Is Part Of: Tourism management. Volume 57(2016)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Tourism impacts -- Bottlenose dolphins -- Voluntary compliance -- Tourism management -- Boat-based tourism; Tourism -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2016.05.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-5177

Abstract

Abstract: Indirect non-lethal effects of wildlife tourism have the potential to compromise the long-term health of animal populations. While appropriate management of impacts is clearly necessary, such management is rarely reported to be effective. Doubtful Sound (New Zealand) has boat-based scenic cruises running year-round. This fjord is also home to an endangered population of bottlenose dolphins, a natural asset for the local tourism industry. A voluntary code of management (COM) was implemented in 2008 to alleviate vessel impacts, establishing guidelines to leave dolphin encounters to chance and restricting vessel traffic in areas of critical habitat. The frequency and duration of interactions decreased substantially since the implementation of the COM. This evidence shows that a science-based voluntary agreement has the potential to mitigate tourism impacts. Nevertheless, due to the small size of the population and its history of low calf survival, a precautionary approach is necessary to further reduce current anthropogenic impacts. Highlights: The effectiveness of new management guidelines for boat-based tourism was evaluated. The frequency and length of dolphin-boat interactions decreased significantly. Boat-restricted areas set over critical habitat were highly used by dolphins. Voluntary compliance was high in the small tourism community of Doubtful Sound. Overall, voluntary management strategies reduced the exposure of dolphins to boats.