No. 2 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

44
NATURE & CLIMATE I NATURALEZA & CLIMA Nº 2
The well-being of cetaceans in the Canaries
For this reason tourism has to be
done responsibly. Hence the implementation
of the «Blue boat» flag on
vessels who offer cetacean watching
services in the Canary Islands. The
flag is yellow in colour and carries the
«Blue boat» logo on its inside, certifying
that the vessel complies with
laws ensuring that cetaceans live a
full and happy life. This means, for
example, that boat trips do not allow
tourists to feed them or swim with
them. The animals’ safety has to come
first. These boats have to adhere to
many other guidelines: they have to
maintain a minimum distance of 60
metres, they make their approaches
slowly and steadily, they never spend
more than half an hour with the animals,
they request that tourists remain
quiet and do not speak when
they are near to the cetaceans, they
abandon the area if they find they
are disturbing them or there is a concentration
of boats: in addition, they
avoid making sudden and repeated
turns, making excessive use of the
engines, manoeuvres and gear and
speed changes when they are near.
Cetaceans’ well-being
The Canary Islands boast an important
and rich natural environment.
The waters surrounding the islands
are a fine example of this, containing
at least 28 different species of whales
and dolphins, some of them residents
and others who pass through.
Few places in the world can boast
such a gift from nature. There is
no other place in Europe offering
such diversity. Indeed, and due to
their oceanic habits, many of these
cetaceans are quite unknown. The
Canary Islands, for example are the
only location in Spain where visitors
can regularly spot the short-finned
pilot whale, the spotted dolphin or
the tropical rorcual.
The geographical situation and
oceanographic characteristics of
this region of the Atlantic determine
the remarkable diversity of cetaceans,
to the extent that in the Canary
Islands it is possible to see up
to nine different species in a single
day, something that only a few other
places around the world can match.
Coming across whales, dolphins,
sperm whales and other cetaceans
at this tiny area of the ocean constitutes
a top tourist attraction. Who
wouldn’t like to get a close look at
them? Ultimately, the magic of seeing
a fin of any of these magnificent
animal poking out of the water surface
is unbeatable. Yet it also presents
a challenge: how can we combine
our interest in observing these
marine mammals while ensuring
their well-being?
Protected species
These species are protected by regional,
national and European regulations,
as well as by agreements
ratified by the Spanish state and
Bonn and Berna. In fact, there are
several different Special Conservation
Areas (ZEC), part of Red Natura
2000, on the islands. «Several species
are oceanic, rare and unknown
around the world. However, due to
their proximity to the coast, they
are easily accessible on the islands,
making them an ideal laboratory for
research and conservation of these
marine mammals», according to the
Society for the Study of Cetaceans
on the Canary Archipelago (SECAC).
Saturation of sailing vessels
Elsa Jiménez, director of the Cram
Foundation, a private, non-profit organisation
dedicated to the protection
of marine life and its species,
states that «the saturation of sailing
vessels in places where cetaceans live
may adversely affect them. For instance,
their communication may be
hampered because they talk to eachother
through sound, and the noise
of boat engines can distort their
“messages”». They can also suffer
from stress, and although it sounds
impossible, they actually collide with
all kinds of vessels, from ferries to sailing
boats.
«Blue boat» flag
«Rather than banning cetacean watching,
it is a matter of being careful
and consistent, because it is very important
to be able to get up close to
them, and it is a tourist activity which
entails a lot of awareness and sensitisation,
and as such is highly educational».
And in this recommended
«medium ground» are the scientists.
Their role as advisors is key, as with
their knowledge it is possible to design
a better plan to ensure the protection
of cetaceans’ well-being and
shows tourists how they live. «Scientists
know pretty much where the
stable populations live, when the migratory
seasons are, the areas they
pass through when they go from one
place to another, their routines and
behaviour…».
Respecting the environment they
live in
«Ultimately —concludes Jiménez—,
it is about respecting the environment
they live in». And this requires
following guidelines laid out by the
holders of the «Blue boat» flag, but
also simple and apparently obvious
details for tourists, such as not using
the ocean as a rubbish tip. Because,
at the end of the day, tourism that
is responsible with the environment
starts with each and every one of us.