Peru-Ecuador Cetacean Whale and Dolphin Season 2014

Peru PACIFICO ADVENTURES Source and Courtesy Humpback Whale Sighting and Investigation.

The Cetacean Whale and Dolphin Season of Latin-American´s Pacific Coast was kickstarted with sightings in the north of Peru and new regulations for observations issued by the Government of Ecuador. Over 1 thousand Cetaceans are expected in the waters of the Pacific Coast of both countries

On June 9^th Local press of Peru El Comercio reported on the first Humpback-Whale sighting 2 miles off the coast of Los Organos in the province of Talara, Piura. Whales were navigating with south bearings. Sightings were made by the ecotourism and marine investigation organization PACIFICO ADVENTURES. On the same day 300 Long-beaked common Dolphins (D. capensis) were sighted feeding in the zone. The specie had not been seen in these waters since last December.

PACIFICO ADVENTURES explains that the season of Humpback Whales and Dolphins extends throughout June-July to October. Humpback Whales navigate to the region to reproduce and breed their calves. The season is also known for hosting sea lions, turtles and diverse marine birds such as blue-footed booby and frigates.

On June 11^th Local press of Ecuador echoed a press release of the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador. The National Government through four State Secretaries issued a norm that regulates observation of whales and dolphins. The norm´s objective is to “safeguard human life in the sea and guarantee the conservation and protection of whales and dolphins in national waters”.

Humpback Whales usually feed on krill, small fish and other organisms. Both Ecuador and Peru are hot fishing productive zones. This year´s fishing stock which in turn provides massive input to the world demand for fish is being investigated for its possible impacts caused by El Niño. The Cetacean Season is under the same light of investigation.

“The importance of these first encounters…is that, despite the forecast of the presence of El Niño, this has not affected the timing of Humpback Whales to reach reproduction and breeding water zones,” PACIFICO ADVENTURES director Belén Alcorta told El Comerio in Peru. PACIFICO ADVENTURES conducts investigations utilizing the area and its platform for the marine biological study of the species, their behavior, distribution and population aspects.

Ecuador seized the season to apply the regulations to all touristic activities related to Cetacean observation. Species protected under the norm include Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Amazon dolphin: Pink dolphin (Inia Geoffrensis) and gray dolphin (Sotalia Fluviatilis).

The regulation is effective as well in the Islands of Galapagos where touristic activity mainly takes to ocean waters. Regulations banned non authorized vessels to take part of sightings and through diverse points limits daily trips, hours of observation and sets other boundaries to avoid direct interference with the species as well as protect those wanting to take a glance into the life of the immense giants of the oceans and their travelling season partners.

Ocean Life News in Brief

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