Colombia

Extent of whale and dolphin watching 

With coastlines on the Pacific Ocean as well as the Caribbean, Colombia hosts 33 different whale and dolphin species¹.  This diversity includes two species of river dolphins that are found in the Amazon and Orinoco river systems, and provide unique opportunities for freshwater dolphin watching². In 2006 an estimated 35,000 individuals participated in whale or dolphin watching in Colombia³ – a number which is certain to have increased in the intervening years.

Target species, peak times of year and locations:

Whale and dolphin watching is well established in three Pacific coastal towns:  Nuquí, Bahía de Málaga and Gorgona.  Dolphin watching focusing on the two species of river dolphin found in Colombia, the Boto and the Tucuxi, takes place inland at Puerto Gatián and Puerto Carreño.  Dolphin watching takes place more opportunistically on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, and there is greater potential for further development of the industry in the Golfo de Urabá, Cispatá, Bocas de Ceniza, Tayrona and Dibulla, as well as the offshore Caribbean islands of San Andrés y Providencia. 

Other species, such as Bryde’s whales, common dolphins, spotted dolphins and pilot whales are observed less regularly, but can be seen during tours focusing primarily on humpback whales or bottlenose dolphins.

Additional information about whale watching opportunities and whale and dolphin distribution in Colombia can be found on the following websites:

• Colombia Travel
• The Colombian Geovisor marine biodiversity map

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Regulations and guidelines

In 1995 regulations were established for the viewing of whales in the Gorgona Marine Park around Gorgona Island on Colombia’s Pacific coast (Chapter VI, article 17 1995), and In 2001, a law was implemented to regulate whale watching on Colombia’s Pacific Coast (Directiva Permanente 001 de julio de 2001. Dirección General Marítima –DIMAR).  Both of these regulations include specifications of approach distances and speeds and vessel and swimmer behaviour around whales.

In 2017 Colombia published their first comprehensive guide to responsible observation of aquatic mammals¹.  This document was produced through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, The Directorate for Marine Coastal Affairs and Aquatic Resources, and various experts from research and conservation organisations.  Illustrated with maps, approach diagrams, and photos of marine mammal species, it explains the legal framework set forth in the Directive above, and provides more detailed explanations of the need for approach guidelines and other aspects of responsible whale watching.

It provides a summary for the context of whale watching globally, regionally and within Colombia, provides a rationale for the development of clear regulations to protect whales and dolphins from the potential impacts of tourism, and sets forth a series of guidelines for vessel-based whale watching.   Key measures include:

• A requirement that all whale watching vessels pass the safety requirements of the Maritime General Directorate  (Dirección General Marítima – DIMAR) and that vessels never exceed their passenger capacity;
• A requirement to have a trained and permitted guide on board with appropriate knowledge of marine mammals and marine ecosystems;
• Minimum approach distances, which differ for whales and dolphins;
• Approach speeds and directions (illustrated in the diagrams below);
• A prohibition on crowding whales or dolphins toward shore;
• A recommendation against approaching mothers with calves, separating groups, or making unnecessary noise during an encounter;
• A recommendation not to enter the water with animals;
• A suggestion not to allow an encounter with whales to exceed 30 minutes – and to limit encounters to 15 minutes if other vessels are waiting;
• A suggestion that all vessels that conduct commercial whale watching activities are permitted and fly a yellow flag identifying them as tourist vessels, while research vessels identify themselves with a red flag.

The document also includes suggested guidelines for aerial observation of whales, stipulating a minimum altitude of 300m above the whales, and a 300m radius around whales (avoiding flying directly toward or on top of whales).

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Research on whale watching in Colombia

A study of whale watching during the 2008 season in Bahía Málaga, on the Pacific Coast of Colombia, found that 44% of humpback whale pods sighted in the area were approached by boats, and most of these approaches did not comply with Colombian whale-watching guidelines.  Most boats approached too closely, and 94% of boats approached too fast (>3 knots).  78.6% of observed boats approached mothers with calves, and the duration of encounters often exceeded the 30 minute limit.  In response to vessel presence, whales appeared to surface and blow less frequently, to move faster, more erratically, breach more, and rest less⁴.  Another study in the Gulf of Tribugá found that even after seminars intended to improve tour operators’ and guides’ knowledge and understanding of humpback whale biology and behaviour, their compliance with regulations was low, and they continued to approach whales too quickly and too closely, resulting in increased surface-active behaviour from the whales⁵.  Both studies recommend continued careful monitoring of the whale watching industry in Colombia to prevent long-term impacts to the whales.    Hopefully the new 2017 guidelines will be well accepted and implemented.

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