Whale watching tourism generates billions in revenue globally but inadequately regulated operations cause chronic stress and behavioural disruption to whales and dolphins.
Whale watching occupies a complex welfare space: it generates economic value from live cetaceans that can support conservation advocacy, yet the operations themselves cause welfare harm if inadequately regulated. Individual cetaceans subjected to frequent, close vessel approaches show measurable physiological and behavioural stress. At population level, chronic harassment of important resting and feeding areas can affect reproductive success and individual fitness. Well-regulated whale watching with species-appropriate distance limits, speed restrictions, and approach angle guidelines can be compatible with acceptable cetacean welfare. The regulatory challenge is ensuring standards are applied consistently across all operators in high-use areas.