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Analysis of the tourist's operations for the observation of the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Canton Puerto López, Manabí-Ecuador

Abstract:

The observation of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) began in the canton Puerto López-Manabí Ecuador at the beginning of the 90s, the tourist activity on this resource grew and became attractive for job opportunities, that's why in this research it was analysed the compliance of legal norms for the whale watching and tourist management. Twenty tour companies have about 22 boats, which attend 72544 domestic and foreign tourists. This data was registered only during the whale watching season from June to September 2014. It was corroborated that the boats approach to the whales from 10 to 40 m distance and every time they try to go closer. This fact can cause the migration of whales in other areas away from Puerto López in a short or long term or it can affect their reproduction.