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11.5 South America
11.5.1 Ecuador
The principle draw card to Ecuador for nature enthusiasts is a trip to the Galapagos islands, where
whale watching started in the 1980’s. Bryde’s whales and sperm whales are frequently seen off the
islands while humpback whales are encountered near the mainland. More than 11 000 whale
watchers are estimated to travel to Ecuador for this activity, bringing in more than US$23 million in
total expenditure. Trips to Galapagos are 10-day+ journeys aboard a wide range of vessels from
yachts to small motor cruises, but are not considered dedicated whale tours and are classified rather
as general marine life tours. Trips from the mainland are day trips and take place from June to
September to see humpback whales from aboard fishing boats, inflatables or small motor cruises.
The Galapagos Islands were one of the worlds first international ecotourism destinations and it is not
surprising that guidelines exists for the whale watching industry operational in this area of Ecuador.
The mainland operators however, do not have guidelines specific to their activities in whale watching
and this should be urgently implemented. Because Galapagos tours are mainly focussed on the
islands themselves, growth in the marine sector of the tours (i.e. spending more time at sea) is
unlikely and the greatest potential for growth in the whale watching industry exists with the mainland
industry.
11.5.2 Brazil
The primary cetacean viewing occurring in Brazil is that of the tucuxi dolphins found in the Amazon
region. Humpback and Southern Right whales also occur off the coast of Brazil at Abrolhos and
Imbituba, Santa Catarina State respectively. The humpback whale season in the Abrolhos
Archipelago between July and November attracted nearly 5000 visitors to the region in 1998. The
number of vessels permitted to conduct whale watching activities in the region of the Abrolhos Marine
Park are restricted to a maximum of 15 boats. One boat owner at Imbituba, Santa Catarina State
makes use of a 10 m inflatable boat carrying 12-15 passengers to view the Southern Right whales.
There is also a fairly large industry for land based cetacean watching in Brazil, although this is largely
restricted to viewing dolphins.
The Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources – Ibama, Edict 117 of
December 26, 1996, provides legislation to manage and regulate the boat base whale watching
industry in Brazil. This legislation provides clear instructions on distance from whales (50 m), angle of
approach, noise levels and speed of movements among others, when conducting whale watching
activities. It also stipulates that vessels engaged in such commercial activities must be registered
with the Conservation Unit and that a limit on the maximum number of vessels permitted within the
area may be enforced.
The low number of tourists visiting the country has been the major constraint facing whale watching in
Brazil. This has been attributed to poor tourism infrastructure, high cost of domestic air travel, high
crime in some areas and political and/or economical instability.
11.5.3 Argentina
In Argentina, Peninsula Valdés is the primary whale watching location with tours to view whales being
implemented in 1983 in this area. It is estimated that in 1999 nearly 75 000 whale watchers visited
Argentina for this purpose. At Peninsula Valdés, six operators, each using two boats run tours of
approximately 2 hours in length. Most boats carry 6-10 passengers, although some larger ferry-type
vessels can carry up to 70 people. One operator based at Punta Norte, Peninsula Valdés, advertises
orca boat-based tours although most orca viewing is conducted from the land. Three areas in
Argentina are in the early phases of starting up whale watching enterprises and have the potential to
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