The Potential of Whale Watching in the Caribbean: 1999+

There are certainly other potential areas around Jamaica that could be investigated
for whale and dolphin watching possibilities. In the southwest, from Black River, South
Coast Safaris Ltd. operates Black River cruises and boat tours along the coast which
include guided flora and fauna trips. Better scuba diving in Jamaica is generally found off
the north coast from Negril east to Ocho Rios; the operators range from those associated
with the luxury all-inclusive hotels to small local diving operations.
In the northeast, Port Antonio offers a good diving and sailing base as well as
probably the best place for deep sea fishing off Jamaica, according to guidebook author
Steve Cohen. Only a half mile from shore (1 km), the sea drops off more than 600 feet
(183 m). The tourism infrastrucure is much less developed here than in the rest of the
island, so there are fewer people on the water, and facilities are reasonable. However, there
are few reports of cetaceans — it would be necessary to do a year-round cetacean survey
to see what is available and feasible in terms of distance, weather and water conditions.
Negril, with its long emphasis on boating and its fortunate proximity to the sperm
whales, is probably best suited to future whale and dolphin watching consideration. As
Negril has developed, it has metamorphosed from rows of dugout canoes along the coast
to runabouts, trolling canoes and, more recently, the larger sports fishing vessels more
suitable to whale watching. The smaller boats are still around, however, and any whale
watch proposal would need to consider the implications of allowing too many boats on the
water out with the whales — both from the human safety point of view as well as the
potential for harassing the whales.
To develop whale or dolphin watching in Jamaica, it will be absolutely necessary
to put in place a restricted permit system for operators and regulations, perhaps modelled
after New Zealand, where the government has been able to keep the growing industry from
harming whale or dolphin populations (see Constantine 1999). Without advance thought of
some of the potential problems, serious difficulties or even disasters could result.
The long-term tourism prospects for Jamaica are almost aggressively rosy, as
predicted by the government. As of January 1999, a 3-4 percent a year increase in visitor
arrivals is being predicted up to the year 2002 which would produce industry earnings of
$1.5 billion USD. Building projects during that period should produce another 2,750 hotel
rooms. The US is Jamaica's main tourism market. In a press conference, Francis Tulloch,
Jamaica's Tourism Minister, said that the growth could be even greater 'if we are able to
fix the problems now facing us.' Problems include harassment of visitors, product
development and improved marketing. It will also be crucial to get more visitors staying
overnight or for several days. As of 1997, 37% arrived on cruise ships, not staying over
night. Those that stay over night spend much more — on hotel rooms, restaurants,
entertainment, souvenirs, and other activities. Whether whale and dolphin watching will be
even a small part of this rosy future remains to be seen.
Acknowledgments: Hal Whitehead (Dalhousie University), Leslie Walling (Montego Bay
Marine Park), Jennifer Lonsdale, Kate O'Connell, World Resources Institute 1993, Cohen
1997, CTO 1997. Francis Tulloch comments were reported in the Observer, Jan. 18, 1999.
Economic data partly from Omri Evans article 'The economic significance of tourism in
Jamaica.'
7. Cayman Islands (UK)
Population: 35,900.
Land area: 260 sq km.
Tourist arrivals by air: 381,188 (+2.1% on prev. yr.)
Tourist arrivals by cruise ship: 865,383 (+12.2% on prev. yr.)
Total Tourist Expenditures: $493.0 million USD.
Tourism Budget: $21.6 million USD.
GDP at factor cost: $710.5 million USD.
1994 figures on whale watching: Nil.
1998 figures on whale watching: Nil.
Whale-watching ports (current or potential): Limited information.
Land-based viewing sites: Limited information.
Whale-watching potential: Minimal.
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