The Kronotsky Nature Reserve in Kamchatka pays special attention to the conservation and study of cetaceans, pinnipeds and sea otters. These animals, which live in the North Pacific Ocean, including species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, are not limited by protected areas. Therefore, everyone who organizes sea tours in Kamchatka needs to know the rules of behavior around them.
Within the framework of the School of Conservationists, marine biologist and researcher of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve Evgeniya Volkova recently met with captains of small vessels and guides conducting sea excursions. The meeting was held in the format of a lecture hall and touched upon both protected and unprotected water areas, which are of no less importance for marine mammals.
Evgenia Volkova noted that life at sea requires significantly higher energy expenditure from marine mammals compared to terrestrial animals. The high density and thermal conductivity of water, as well as the need to constantly rise to the surface to breathe, create additional difficulties. The Kamchatka coast is home to key habitats for many species of marine mammals, where they feed, rest, and reproduce. It is here, where the presence of animals is predictable, that tourists are brought. The most noticeable and well–studied consequence of tourism is a change in the budget of animal activity: sea otters, humpback whales and killer whales spend less time feeding and resting in the presence of tourist boats, and more time moving. Thus, instead of receiving the necessary energy, animals are forced to spend it.
Evgenia Volkova also stressed that another negative consequence of the growing tourist flow is the increase in noise pollution of the ocean, while sounds play a crucial role for many species of marine mammals, especially cetaceans.
The seminar actively discussed the problems of the impact of tourism on the state of animal populations in case of non-compliance with the basic rules of observation. Anna Gatchinova, captain of the yacht and head of the Kamchatka in the Palm of her Hand travel company, noted that Evgenia Volkova’s story helped to better understand the problem and discuss it using concrete examples. She stressed the importance of such events that bring together caring people, help control those who do not understand the seriousness of the situation, and engage in mentoring for those who have not yet realized the importance of responsible monitoring of marine animals.
Elena Bulatova, manager of Krechet-Tour LLC, said that by selling “sea excursions”, some tour operators and travel agents guarantee tourists a meeting with whales and killer whales, thereby encouraging them to require ship crews to approach the animals for photographing. At the same time, the guests are not explained that such actions violate the usual way of life of marine life. According to her, this is a short-term benefit-oriented mindset rather than a long-term one, and this serious problem needs to be addressed comprehensively.
The organizers of the lecture hope that illustrative examples, such as demonstrating how loud and frightening motor noise is for killer whales underwater, will help tour operators to further create a favorable environment for the development of responsible marine tourism. After all, travel agencies can earn money only if there are objects on display, and frightened animals will not let a person near them and will simply swim away.
Anastasia Kharkova, Acting Head of the School of Nature Defenders Project Group at the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, said that during the seminar, the audience learned which topics and international practices they would like to consider and discuss with experts on marine mammals for the development of responsible tourism, in which travelers observe the natural behavior of whales, killer whales, seals, sea otters, and animals do not experience fear and discomfort. The participants of the meeting expressed their desire to continue their studies at the lecture hall in order to gain deeper knowledge about the nature of Kamchatka.