Extent of whale and dolphin watching

Peru’s waters host 32 species of whales and dolphins. This incredible biodiversity is made possible by the confluence of the cold Humboldt current with warm tropical waters of the Pacific.  Between the months of July and October, the northern coast of Peru (between the states of Piura and Tumbes) serves as a breeding ground for humpback whales.  These whales formed the focus of a growing whale watching industry, including a few companies dedicated to research tourism. These companies host marine experts who collect data on the whales that are observed at the same time that they act as guides.  Many operators also offer more general marine tours that include the possibility of observing dolphins, marine turtles, sea lions and sea birds as well as whales.  Tours are offered on larger dedicated tour vessels, or by artisanal fishermen who take tourists out as a means to supplement their income when they are not fishing.

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Regulations and guidelines

Specific regulation of marine fauna observation is lacking in Peru. However, a multi-sectorial commission for marine management (COMUMA) coordinates a technical task force composed of experts, who are preparing a draft regulation document for this activity in order to reduce its impact in marine mega vertebrates. However, other protection laws for whales and dolphins exists. These include several laws and decrees that were formulated in response to public outcry over unsustainably high-directed hunts and incidental catches of dolphins in Peru’s fisheries in the 80s and 90’s decades, such as Decreto Supremo No 934-73-AG, Ley No 26585, and Decreto Supremo 002-96-PE. Both decrees prohibit the intentional capture, consumption and commercialisation of dolphins.  Resolucion Ministerial N° 588-96-PE describes the minimum legal standards for bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) husbandry in captivity in the country.

NOTE:  Following the publication of this online Handbook in 2018, Peru has issued new whale watching guidelines which can be viewed here.

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Research on whale watching in Peru

A number of studies have been conducted on the humpback whales that come to Peru to mate and nurse their young^1-3. A study conducted in 2014 found that passengers participating in whale watching tours were relatively uniformed about the presence of whales in Peru and the nature of the threats posed to whales and dolphins in the wild before participating in tours, but that the tours had the potential to inform and educate tourists and motivate them to engage in more conservation actions⁴.

Since the publication of this country profile in 2018, a new study has been published: Whale Watching in Northern Peru: An Economic Boom?

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