Whale-watching in NZ gains seal of approval

New Zealand is "a model country" for its careful management of whale-watching, says an International Fund for Animal Welfare report.

Conservation Minister Sandra Lee said the report's writer, Erich Hoyt, had researched the whale-watching industry worldwide.

He looked at tourism, socio-economic benefits and the environmental effects in communities in the 87 countries involved in the industry.

Whale-watching earns $2 billion a year worldwide.

The report says research money levied from operators, and the requirement that operators have an education programme, contributes to New Zealand being a model country for whale-watching.

The report suggests that improvements could be made by having trained naturalists on every boat.

The Conservation Department is responsible for managing and regulating the industry in New Zealand waters and ensuring that marine mammals such as whales and dolphins are protected.

Ms Lee said that up to last year, DOC had granted 82 marine mammal tourism permits around the country, with a number still under consideration.

Twenty-one permits had been issued allowing people to swim with dolphins.

Many permits had been issued for small-scale opportunistic viewing by water taxis or charter boats.

Ms Lee said New Zealand's strict permit system had helped to control the number of boats on the water and guide people's behaviour around whales, dolphins and seals.

"Most people are very respectful."

The whale and dolphin-watching industry had transformed communities, particularly at Kaikoura, which 15 years ago had little tourism but was now a popular destination for overseas travellers, Ms Lee said.

"The big benefit in Kaikoura has been a change from fishing as a major income-earner to one that's now based on an environmentally sustainable, non-extractive use."

More than 30 communities in New Zealand have some involvement in whale or dolphin-watching, says the report.

Kaikoura, Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula, the Bay of Islands and Bay of Plenty are the biggest areas for marine mammal tourism.

In 1998, at least 230,000 people went whale-watching in New Zealand, the report says.

A large proportion were overseas visitors.

The future of the industry in New Zealand is positive, says the report.

With whale and dolphin-watching flourishing and providing a drawcard for tourists, there was outstanding potential to increase the socio-economic benefits.

- NZPA