Scientific Literature: Searchable Database

Each year millions of tourists visit the Dominican Republic; many of these come to view North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in their native breeding grounds. Whale-watching excursions in Samaná Bay are co-managed by five entities, three of which are government sectors: the Dominican navy, the ministry of environment, and the ministry of tourism. The two private sectors include the whale-watching boat-owners association and a local whale-conservation nonprofit, the Centro para la Conservación y Ecodesarrollo de la Bahía de Samaná y su Entorno (CEBSE). This chapter will explore the underlying conflicts within this system, as these conflicts influence the effectiveness of the co-management system and thus impact local whale conservation. This chapter will also explore how outside entities (such as local tour operators, international tour companies, and cruise ships) play a role in the compliance levels of whale-watching guidelines and how social norms impact the situation.