Fwd: [WW:] Thesis] WHALE WATCHING

>From: "Stephanie Meinhold" <huggies@xyz.net>
>To: <whalewatch@onenw.org>
>
>List-Subscribe: <mailto:sympa@onenw.org?subject=subscribe%20whalewatch>

>Subject: [WW:] Thesis
>Status:
>
>Hi there,
>I wanted to let people know that my Master's thesis is in the
>process of being published.
>
>DESIGNING AN EDUCATION PROGRAM TO MANAGE THE UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS OF
>WHALE WATCHING
>
>Abstract
>There is a potential for whale watchers to behave inappropriately
>around killer whales, which can have harmful effects on the whales
>and may diminish
>the experience of visitors, affecting tourism in the Johnstone
>Strait area. This type of behaviour occurs mainly as a result of
>the lack of knowledge
>by private vessel operators of the accepted whale watching
>guidelines. There are a number of possible methods for managing
>undesirable tourist activity, but education appears to be the best
>method for Johnstone Strait when it is supported by minimal, but
>effective regulation. This thesis describes the ideal education
>program for managing tourist behaviour around
>killer whales in Johnstone Strait.
>
>The precautionary principle states that even in the absence of
>scientific proof of harm or a cause and effect relationship,
>preventative action must be taken to prevent the harm from
>occurring. On this basis, we need to
>prevent the situation in Johnstone Strait from deteriorating before
>irreversible impacts occur on killer whales, their habitat, the
>tourists and the tourism industry. The best method for attempting
>to meet this goal is to educate the public regarding their behaviour
>while watching killer whales in a way that will create a sense of
>personal responsibility, use a holistic approach, demonstrate
>practical action strategies, and control visitor expectations.
>
>The Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Centre Society should
>manage the proposed education program in Johnstone Strait. An
>interpretive facility should be built in Telegraph Cove as a base of
>operations, in addition to adding value to the touristÕs experience.
>The education program itself should include a water-based component,
>a land-based component, as well as a research and monitoring
>component. The water-based component should have a roving warden
>throughout the killer whale ÔcoreÕ habitat area and a Robson Bight
>Michael Bigg Ecological Reserve warden for the killer whale
>ÔcriticalÕ habitat area. The land-based component should have
>campground slide shows, a dockside interpreter contacting sport
>fishermen during morning launch and vessels docking for fuel during
>the day, and a local community and BC wide outreach program. It is
>important that the program be as efficient and effective as possible
>in a time of increasingly scarce financial resources.
>
>I would be happy to send anyone a CD copy if they are interested.
>
>Thank you,
>Stephanie Meinhold
>PO Box 1947
>Homer, AK 99603
><mailto:huggies@xyz.net>huggies@xyz.net
>
>BSc - University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (Zoology)
>MA (Candidate) - Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC (Environment &
>Management)
Received on Fri Mar 28 09:15:32 2003