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Let’s Go Whale Watching!
Everyday, whales offer unforgettable and touching experiences to hundreds of tourists, filling their hearts with joy and provoking feelings that are hard to compare with any other experience. Watching 15-meter-long whales slowly and gracefully move over the surface of the water, sometimes seeming to pose for a picture (which will surely be shared in who knows how many corners of the world), tends to make us forget that these are wild animals that have traveled thousands of kilometers to arrive here and are not in the least bit interested in becoming famous.
In some countries, such as Japan and Norway, these large cetaceans (whales) are hunted for food, but here they can simply be observed in their natural environment. Known as whale watching, this activity is mainly available in the states of Jalisco, Nayarit and Baja California. Since whales are a protected species under Mexican and International laws, its important to take into account factors that will allow us to enjoy whale watching “without harming” them. Here are a few tips.
1. Always hire an authorized tour guide. If you are planning on taking a whale watching tour, make sure the operator has an authorized permit issued by Semarnat, which can be identified this year by an orange flag. Make sure you inquire about their permit prior to purchasing your ticket, in order to avoid being fined. There is an official guideline, NOM-131-ECOL-1998, that regulates whale watching, available online at www.profepa.gob.mx/NR/rdonlyres/84142613-CF26-4223-B7E9-38BE4AEB0C96/3272/NOM_131_ECOL_1998.doc.
2. Experience counts. A “pirate” tour operator or an inexperienced one will not assure that you will enjoy your whale watching experience. You don’t need a whale expert, but an experienced company will provide you with detailed information regarding their habits and behavior, guiding you throughout the entire tour so you understand what you are seeing.
3. It takes patience, lots of patience. The success of a tour depends in large part on luck; there are days when whales are more active than others, and days with more or fewer whales. Nonetheless, a tour with fewer whales can be more rewarding than with many. The secret is in knowing how to wait for them; minutes can pass without a sign. A serious company will wait as long as necessary for the whales to come to the surface and will anticipate their path in order to predict the location of their next appearance. Moving from one location to the next too often is not recommended; doing so will often prevent you from seeing the most spectacular sightings.
4. To Watch or to photograph? The big dilemma. Many people prefer not to take photos in order to fully enjoy their whale watching experience, while others prefer to spend more time watching them through the lens. The latter best have their camera ready to avoid missing out on some details and movements. A sudden leap can go unseen when watching through the camera. It’s best to have your camera ready because it’s almost guaranteed that the whales will surface or leap when your camera has already been turned off or while looking in the opposite direction.
5. Put yourself in their place. That’s right, in the place of the whales. We tend to forget that they are wild animals measuring up to 15 meters in length and weighing up to 35 tons. Do not forget that they are here to give birth and to mate, and as with any other living being, they need their space and privacy. Although they are not aggressive toward humans, a whale that feels threatened or harassed can react very dangerously. Given their size, a tail wag may be very dangerous. So, one must keep a safe distance of at least 80 meters (for private vessels with no permit) and 30 meters for vessels with a permit. If the whales begin to act evasive or nervous, it’s best for the vessel to retreat.
By Biologist. Oscar Aranda Mena
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