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Dolphins and wildlife tourism

Whale and dolphin watching activities promising unique encounters with free-ranging cetaceans are increasing dramatically worldwide. The great sociability and pseudo smile of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops spp., which embody the human view of dolphins, indeed favour a perception of these animals closer to myth and romanticism than reality.

However, numerous studies conducted over the past 40 years in Australia, New Zealand, North and South America, and Europe show that these activities can have deleterious effects on cetaceans and may be risky for their admirers. In French Polynesia, recreational and commercial whale and dolphin watching has the potential to disturb and sometimes harm such marine mammals as the humpback whale, common bottlenose dolphin, and spinner dolphin.

This so-called ecotourism was primarily sold to officials and the public based on two benefits: To enjoy the beauty of cetaceans in their natural settings and to educate people about their vulnerability. Yet, current trends show that these benefits are often out-weighed by adverse consequences on the animals' welfare and fitness.

Our studies specifically focus on the effects of scuba diving tourism on Rangiroa bottlenose dolphins’ behavior and the potential risks for both the humans and dolphins associated with close underwater interactions. A PhD thesis was conducted on this topic by Pamela Carzon (PSL Paris Sciences et Lettres Université).