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two having motorised boats and one offering the use of kayaks. Due to this industry being in its
infancy in Namibia, no regulations or legislation currently exists with which to regulate the industry.
Although there is potential for growth of this industry in Namibia, a limited infrastructure and tourism
development might stunt expansion.
11.2.3 Mozambique
Whale watching only began in Mozambique in the late 1990’s and in 1998 reported just over 500
whale watchers. The majority of whale watchers in Mozambique come from South Africa, and several
whale watching operators have even moved from South Africa (where a permit is required for such
activity) to Mozambique to conduct whale tours where no permit is required. This prevents returns
from the industry for the country and hinders further development and growth in Mozambique. The
tourism industry in Mozambique collapsed with the onset of civil war in the late 1980’s and was again
decimated by severe storms and flooding in 2000. With considerable assistance from first world
countries and development of the tourism industry, areas of Mozambique, specifically the Bazaruto
archipelago, have great potential for a whale watching industry.
11.2.4 Madagascar
Madagascar has been involved with whale watching since 1988 and within a decade, numbers of
whale watchers had grown to 4000, although in 1994, numbers reached up to 7500. The reason for
the decline in whale watchers between 1994 and 1998 is not evident. Up to 80% of tourists to
Madagascar are international and whale watching has good potential to grow and develop along with
the strong tourism market. Madagascar is the most likely location for viewing sperm whales in
southern Africa and this aspect could be used as a draw card for tourists from other parts of Africa. In
1998 there were 12 operators, mostly offering boat trips from sports fishing boats. With development
of tourism and educational programs, the whale watching industry could contribute substantially to the
country.
In 2001 Madagascar were in the process of drafting legislation for whale watching. This legislation
stipulates, inter alia, that a minimum distance of 300 m must be maintained between the boat and
whales at all times, that a maximum time of 30 minutes is to be spent viewing a group of whales, only
one boat present at a group of whales at a time and that a trained guide from the Association of Parc
Masoala Guides must accompany all whale watching tours. The legislation provided for management
of the whale watching industry appears to be fairly comprehensive, however, implementation and
enforcement thereof will determine the success of this industry in Madagascar.
11.3 Australasia
11.3.1 Australia
Whale watching only originated in Australia in 1987 at Hervey Bay although viewing dolphins close
inshore at Monkey Mia had been taking place since the late 1960’s. By 1998 Australia had recorded
734 000 whale watchers that were estimated to contribute approximately US$56 million annually in
total expenditure. A survey conducted in 2003 (IFAW Report 2004) reported that Australia now hosts
1.6 million whale watchers, making Australia now part of the “million whale watch club”. In 2003 a
total of 290 whale watching operators were recorded to be active through six regions of Australia
namely; Queensland (43), New South Wales (28), Victoria (10), Tasmania (3), South Australia (9) and
the greatest whale watching activity emanating from in Western Australia (197). Along with the boom
in Australian tourism in the mid-1980’s the whale watching industry grew dramatically, and although it
is currently well developed, there remains potential for further growth, especially on the educational
and scientific components of the tours.
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