This Handbook is designed to support managers, regulators, operators and anyone interested in whale watching. It is a flexible and evolving tool incorporating international best practice, educational resources and a summary of the latest, relevant scientific information. Content has been drafted and sourced in consultation with IWC and CMS affiliated scientists and managers from around the world, and is reviewed each year at the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission. Use the drop-down menu above to learn more about the IWC and CMS, their roles in whale watching, and the nature of this handbook. Or use the interactive map below to find links to case studies and country-specific whale watching overviews, regulations and guidelines, and species information for each of the highlighted countries.
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About the Handbook
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Antarctica
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Guidelines
Argentina
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Australia
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Brazil
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Chile
Species of Interest
Colombia
Species of Interest
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Egypt
Species of Interest
Case Studies
France (Mainland and Overseas)
Species of Interest
Guidelines
- ACCOBAMS_MOP4_Res.4.7- Guidelines for commercial cetacean watching in the ACCOBAMS Area
- ACCOBAMS_MOP6_Res6.20- Commercial cetacean watching in the ACCOBAMS area
- France-Regulation for marine mammal watching in Mayotte (French)
- France-tour operators charter for marine mammal watching in Mayotte (French)
- Pelagos Sanctuary- Code of Conduct for whale watching (English)
- Reunion charter for responsible viewing of marine mammals and turtles (French)
- ACCOBAMS High Quality Whale Watching Guidelines - brochure format
- France - National Decree of July 2011 identifying protected marine mammals and prohibiting the pursuit and the harassment of these animals
- France - Decree n° R-2017-03-15-003 regulating cetaceans approaches in waters under French jurisdiction in the West Indies
- France - Charter for the responsible practice of marine mammal watching for commercial activities in the Agoa Sanctuary
- France - 2021 The Approach and Observation of Cetaceans in La Reunion
Gabon
India
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Ireland
Italy
Species of Interest
Kenya
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Guidelines
Mexico
Species of Interest
New Zealand
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Norway
Species of Interest
Panama
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Peru
Portugal
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Guidelines
- Portugal_2018 Summary of whale and dolphin watching guidelines for areas under Portuguese Jurisdiction (English)
- Portugal_ Azores_Guidelines 2005_Portaria N 52004_Portuguese
- Portugal_Cetacean Observation Law Decreto-Lei n.o 92006 (Portuguese)
- Portugal_Azores Rules and Codes of Conduct for Whale and Dolphin Watching
- Ocean Azores Foundation Whale Watching Tips and Guidelines
Spain
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Sultanate of Oman
Species of Interest
Sri Lanka
Species of Interest
Slovenia
Species of Interest
South Africa
Species of Interest
Tonga
Species of Interest
Case Studies
United Kingdom
Species of Interest
Case Studies
United States of America
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Canada
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Denmark (Greenland)
Species of Interest
Denmark (Greenland)
Species of Interest
Ecuador
Species of Interest
Dominica
Maldives
Species of Interest
Data not available
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Antarctic: Whale Watching
Platforms of opportunity in new frontiersArgentina: Península Valdés, Chubut
A multi-stakeholder, multi-faceted, adaptive approach to regulation of whale-watchingAustralia: Port Phillip Bay
Adaptive management aimed at increasing compliancePortugal: The Azores
Whalers turn their skills to whale watchingSpain: The Canary Islands
Sustainability Charter in TenerifeUnited States and Canada: The Whale Trail
Promoting and facilitating land-based whale watching on the Pacific CoastThe Netherlands: Studio Bruinvis
Land-based dolphin watching with a technical twistMexico- Loreto Bay
A passive observation method for sustainable blue whale watchingIndia: Chilika Lagoon
Conserving marine biodiversity through people’s participationUnited States of America - Gulf of Maine
Whale watching contributes to long-term monitoring of whalesEgypt- Samadai Reef
Time area closures and zoning to protect resting spinner dolphinsAustralia- Great Barrier Reef
Swimming with little giantsNew Zealand: Kaikoura
Adaptive management of an industry in harmony with traditional valuesBrazil: Praia do Forte
Assessing the carrying capacity for whale watching in a Protected AreaDominican Republic: Samaná Bay
The strengths and challenges of co-management of whale watchingKenya: Watamu
Whale and dolphin watching as an alternative to fishing and a means of reducing marine mammal bycatchUnited Kingdom: Scotland
Understanding the socio-economic impacts of whale watchingTonga
Swimming with humpback whalesPanama: Bocas del Toro
Can Tourists and community members turn the tide for dolphins?Canada: Mingan Island Cetacean Study
Research-based tourismMexico: Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California Sur
Alternative livelihoods and increased income for fishing communitiesEnforcing whale watching regulations
Anecdotes and practical tips from enforcement officers at opposite ends of the worldThe ACCOBAMS High Quality Whale Watching® Certificate
A multi-stakeholder certification scheme developed for sustainable whale watching in the Mediterranean Sea -
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Denmark (Greenland)
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- France (Mainland and Overseas)
- Gabon
- India
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kenya
- Maldives
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Panama
- Peru
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sultanate of Oman
- Tonga
- United Kingdom
- United States of America