Tenerife’s whale watching community has recognised the need to continue improving standards, promoting responsible practices, and encouraging collaboration.
There are already various national regulations and laws that protect cetaceans, including two mandatory permits per boat involved in whale watching, and a two-year moratorium limiting the number of permits that can be granted. In addition to this, researchers monitor cetaceans from land and sea, and report activities negatively impacting on them to the authorities.
Responsible whale watching operators at the site have been making great efforts towards best practice standards:
· Due to evidence of the impact of poor practices, and the growing frustration of responsible operators, the Whale Watching Quality Charter was created by the Tenerife Tourism Corporation. It’s a voluntary set of commitments developed in collaboration with operators, and recognises best practice within the whale watching community.
· The whale watching association ACEST is formed of an increasing number of operators committed to preserving cetaceans in the region. It has demonstrated the importance of collaboration when promoting a sustainable and responsible industry and putting pressure on the authorities for the better management of whale watching.
When responsible operators witness bad practices at sea by other operators, they radio them directly to inform them of regulations and try to educate them to improve their practices.
Helpful links
Apply to become a Wildlife Heritage Area
