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effort to be controlled through restrictions on the number of operations and the amount and type of
activity undertaken by each commercial operator. The regulations also list general operating
conditions for commercial operators or any other member of the public when in the vicinity of marine
mammals. These regulations pertain primarily to approach speeds, minimum distance (50 m) and
orientation of approach. No more than three vessels are permitted within a 300 m radius of whales
and whales with calves are not to be approached closer than 200 m by any vessel. Species specific
regulations are listed relating to approaching sperm whales. The regulations are used to manage the
effort expended on whale watching. An example of this is at Kaikoura where, despite numerous
applications, no further permits have been granted since 1989 and the current operators have not
been allowed to increase their number of trips. Overall a trend towards larger, quieter vessels has
been employed in this whale watching industry.
The whale watching industry at Kaikoura is considered to be a model example of a successful
community development initiative. With the attraction of whale watching and government support, the
Maori people of Kaikoura transformed their small, impoverished village into a highly successful,
internationally acclaimed tourist destination. The empowerment and socio-economic upliftment has
transformed this Maori community, and more importantly, by means of a sustainable resource
(whales) that has always played a significant role in the Maori culture. The early introduction of strict
regulations on this industry have thus far, allowed sustainable growth of the industry, however, the
increasing pressure and demand for whale watching encounters at Kaikoura means that the town
faces a difficult decision as to whether to expand further and possibly lose the aspect that originally
made it a successful tourism destination or limit further growth and also possibly lose attractiveness to
the tourist market. Although New Zealand’s permit based system has helped to control the number of
boats on the water and thus protect the resource, many argue that there are already too many permits
in some areas and not sufficient in others. Nonetheless whale and dolphin watching continues to
flourish in New Zealand and there is outstanding potential for growth and associated improvements in
the socio-economic sphere.
11.3.3 Tonga
In 1994 the first whale watching enterprise in the Kingdom of Tonga was established around the
Vava’u island group in the South Pacific Ocean. This area has been known to be an important
breeding area for humpback whales for centuries, however, due to the whaling industry in New
Zealand in the early 1900’s, the populations occurring here are considered to be endangered and only
a fraction of their original numbers (Orams 2002). Nonetheless the Vava’u islands are developing a
growing reputation as an international whale watching destination. The total number of whale
watchers recorded in Vava’u islands in 1998 was 2334, yielding a total expenditure of US$422 000,
which contributes a considerable amount of income to the tiny group of islands. Five main operators
offer whale watch tours and these companies are starting to invest in larger vessels with stable
platforms, hydrophones (for listening to whale sounds), toilets and seating onboard. The fairly new
whale watching industry is however, threatened by the recent consideration of the Tonga government
to return to hunting whales. The majority of visitors to Tonga are typically well educated, from upper
socio-economic groups and strongly conservation minded. A study conducted by Orams (2002)
shows that current visitors to Tonga are opposed to any resumption of whaling practices and that
should this occur, it would likely displace the majority of tourists from the area.
Although whales are not officially protected in Tonga, the Government of Tonga, in partnership with
the whale watch operators, have established a set of guidelines for viewing whales. These guidelines
are similar to those developed for many other countries and include, inter alia, a minimum distance of
100 m to be kept from whales at all times, a 300 m caution zone with no more than one vessel in this
zone at a time, a speed of 4 knots and human-powered paddle craft not permitted closer than 75 m
from a whale.
Although already well established as a whale watching location, by global standards the industry in
Vava’u can be considered to be in its infancy. There is considered to be outstanding potential for
further development and growth in the whale watching industry in Tonga, much of this depends on the
government’s decision whether to resume whaling or not. There is some pressure from the World
Council of Whalers and some local Tongans to return to whaling. A study conducted by Orams
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