Whale-watching : Sustainable Tourism and Ecological Management

Author: Higham, James, Bejder, Lars, Williams, Rob

Ecological science, the Biosphere

Published on 27 March 2014 by CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS in the United Kingdom.

Hardback | 401 pages, 24 Tables, black and white; 20 Plates, colour; 47 Halftones, unspecified; 17 Line drawings
253 x 189 x 24 | 106g

Within little more than a generation, whale-watching has been subject to global industrial development. It has been portrayed by destinations and business operators, and advocated by environmental groups, as a sustainable activity and an alternative to whaling. However, in recent years the sustainability of these activities has increasingly been questioned, as research shows that repeated disturbance by boat traffic can severely disrupt critical behaviours of cetaceans in the wild. Bringing together contributions by international experts, this volume addresses complex issues associated with commercial whale-watching, sustainable development and conservation of the global marine environment. It highlights widely expressed concerns for the failure of policy, planning and management and pinpoints both long-standing and emerging barriers to sustainable practice. Featuring numerous case studies, the book provides critical insights into the diverse socio-cultural, political, economic and ecological contexts of this global industry, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that arise along the pathways to sustainability.