Enhancing cetacean research through whale-watching tourism in the Mid-Atlantic
Long-term data series have become increasingly relevant to address global changes largely triggered by anthropogenic activities. In cetacean research, continuous advances in technology have allowed to increase and improve data collection (e.g. drones, PAM systems fixed, drifting or based on AUV, eDNA); and the growing availability of opportunistic data sources has provided data otherwise likely unavailable (e.g.whale-watching, shipping, fisheries, cruising).
In the Azores, a hotspot for cetaceans in the mid-Atlantic, long-term initiatives for cetacean monitoring have created a successful network of collaborative efforts between whale-watching (WW) and science. Since 2008, more than 30000 sightings of cetaceans have been recorded, mostly managed by the MONICET project (University of the Azores) and Futurismo Azores Adventures (local WW company). Photos for individual identification have already yielded at least 11 active photo-identification catalogues with little to no technological aid.
In the last few years, hydrophones have been used in the daily operation to assist in sperm whale search. At Futurismo, acoustic data collection has been combined with tourism providing numerous sampling opportunities to record frequently sighted species, but also cryptic or rare ones, or even extraordinary behaviours (e.g. sperm whale trumpets in the Azores, hunting behaviour of orcas, or foraging false killer whales). We have recently started to characterize the sounds of WW boats to describe the current WW scenario, and create a set of guidelines to foster good WW practices among the operators. Taking advantage of the strong commitment and acceptance of the industry is now the right moment to improve current practices, foster synergies with science and ensure a more responsible future.