Cetacean watching has increased in recent years, being whales and dolphins the focus
of these tourism activities. Several studies worldwide have suggested that tour boat
activities have effects on cetacean’s behavior. Here, we studied the population of
common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting Walvis Bay ...»»»»
Cetacean watching has increased in recent years, being whales and dolphins the focus
of these tourism activities. Several studies worldwide have suggested that tour boat
activities have effects on cetacean’s behavior. Here, we studied the population of
common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting Walvis Bay (Namibia), in
order to analyze the effect of tour boat activities on the dolphins’ behavior. Boat-based
behavioral surveys were carried out by the Namibian Dolphin Project organization from
2009 to 2016. Temporal variation in dolphins’ behavior over seasons (winter and
summer) and years was also analyzed. Our results showed that bottlenose dolphins
mainly reduced their resting and surface feeding behaviors under the presence of tour
boats, while milling and socializing behaviors were increased. This suggests that the
population is reacting to tour boat presence by balancing their activity budget and
energetic demands. The dolphins also exhibited a seasonal and annual effect on their
behavioral budget, proposing that tour boat activity may have influenced this species,
as dolphins have not completely habituated to this disturbance. Small and dispersed
groups of dolphins observed under the presence of tour boats suggested that dolphins
in Walvis Bay actively avoided boat interactions. However, further studies are
necessary in order to document long-term effects in areas where tourism activity is
experiencing an increase. Also, future conservation and management plans towards
achieving a more ecological and economic sustainability of the cetacean-watching
activity would be needed.^^^^
