Whale Watching Worldwide

Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Hirokazu Ohtsubo at the Zamami Whale Watching Association and ten operators.
Shikoku
Year Number of
whale
watchers
AAGR Number of
operators
Direct
expenditure
Indirect
expenditure
Total
expenditure
1998 17,873 N/A 7 $715,135 N/A N/A
2008 7,000 ‐8.9% 8 $327,308 $973,000 $1,300,308
Whale Watch Locations:
01: Kochi Prefecture
Shikoku has whale watching at various points along its southern
coastline, in Kochi Prefecture. Boat‐based trips, offered mainly
through fishing cooperatives, operate from April to October. The
trips encounter a range of cetaceans, mainly Bryde’s whales and
bottlenose dolphins, although humpback and sperm whales have
also been sighted.
Shikoku is the only area in Japan to have seen a marked decline in
the number of whale watchers according to the data gathered. All
operators, mainly fishing cooperatives whose main activity is not
whale watching, reported lower estimates than those reported in 1998. Industry watchers suggest that in
addition to a decline in general Kochi tourism, promotion of the industry has not kept pace with other areas.
Although Kochi was a pioneering area for whale watching in Japan, investment and development have been
limited, with only the largest cooperative having a website with up‐to‐date information and booking forms.
Main species: Large cetaceans:
Bryde’s whale, sperm whale
Small cetaceans:
bottlenose dolphin, short‐beaked common
dolphin, short‐finned pilot whale, Risso’s
dolphin
Tourists:
International 5%
Domestic 95%
Types of tours: Boat‐based
Average adult ticket price: $49
Estimated employment
20
numbers:
Main whale watch season: April to October
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Kotoe Sasamori, Mr Kukita at the Kochi Tourism Convention Centre and seven operators.
141