Newswise — Each summer, the waters off New England are the end point of a long mammalian migration. More than a million mammals will have visited the area between April and November with one purpose- the chance to see one of their biggest brethren, the whale. Literally millions of tourists come to New England each summer with the hope of seeing a whale. And each summer, whales come to the waters off New England to feed, gaining their necessary four to seven tons, before heading back to a tropical winter breeding area where food is scarce.
Whale watching is an art. Lots of people look at things but don't really see them. For instance, you may notice gulls sitting on a dock, but if you're really watching them, you'll probably find that they are all facing into the wind. Watching a wild animal roaming free in its natural habitat can be one of the most amazing experiences you ever have. Knowing what you are looking at, keying in on differences in individuals, watching how individuals interact, or react, and being able to observe without interfering, requires some skill, patience, and effort.
Watching whales is a little different than watching terrestrial wildlife for a couple of major reasons. There are only limited areas where you can view them from land and it takes some real patience and skill to be an unobtrusive observer from a boat. Also, whales dive which means that they disappear for brief, or sometimes extended periods of time, while you are watching them. Therefore, it is important to be prepared and make the most of the sighting while the whale is at the surface.
A good way to prepare is to read something about the animals before you go to see them. Field guides will offer cues to help identify the kind of whale you are looking at. Asymmetrical coloring can identify the animal as a finback, while long pectoral flippers will let you know you are looking at a humpback whale. Learning about natural and life history such as migratory patterns, food preferences, behavior and social structure can enhance your experience.
However, whale watching is so much more than just seeing a whale. It's a tool for education, research and policy. Not only will you have the opportunity to see a wild animal in its natural habitat, but you can also learn about the habitat, collect data, and help set policy that will protect that habitat.
Every trip offers something. Even those trips, albeit rare, that whales are not seen. Whales go to specific locations in the North Atlantic to feed. The fish are found in those specific locations because they are rich in plankton. Plankton thrives in these locations because of upwelling currents and cool water temperatures. Therefore, whales can be a barometer for the habitat, no whales often translates to mean that fish are not abundant in that area and may indicate a shift in ecosystem. Therefore, knowing where they are not, is often as important as knowing where they are.
While seeing a whale is typically the motivation for going whale watching, a good naturalist can help to educate the passengers about the biology, ecology and the general plight of whales. Many people may not realize that balloons and trash that end up in the ocean are often mistaken by whales for food and can be lethal to the animals. Few people may know that the whale watch they went on is a topic for international discussion at the International Whaling Commission meetings.
Whale watching can be an opportunity for people to understand how the expanding energy consumption in the United States has led to a number of proposed offshore energy facilities which can result in the disruption of a whales' ability to communicate, migrate, and forage. All this impacts their overall health and will have an effect on the size of the population. A simple reduction in energy consumption can reduce the need for these facilities and lead to a healthier environment for all us. When done correctly, and responsibly, whale watching can be a benefit to people and whales. And, it shouldn't end when you get off the boat. It should be an experience that remains with you in your every day life as you realize how much of an impact you can have on the life of the whale you saw that day!
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