Baby Humpbacks in our Bay

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*Whale Watching Season Underway*

BY GRIFFIN PAGE
Naturalist

Those of you whom live here or visit Banderas Bay regularly, you may know that our wonderful bay serves as reproduction grounds to the Humpback whales. They migrate over 10,000 kilometers (6,000 miles) to reach those breeding grounds and it is also here that they give birth. They are simply spectacular! These creatures attract an incredible amount of people every year who wish to see them, perhaps, for the first time in their lives. Hence, these animals also play an important part of our local economy between December 8th and March 31st when whale watching is permitted.

The Humpback whales are still on the list of endangered species and therefore, our Bay also plays a crucial role in their survival. It is imperative that these whales feel welcome and relaxed here if we want to be able to enjoy their presence for years to come. This is why there are rules and regulations related to the activity of "Whale Watching." Permits are necessary for the companies to operate whale watching tours. Guides and captains should be trained in this regard, know the rules and abide by them.

Why then, am I seeing, quite too often, too many boats well within the allowed distance for whale watching (30 meters - 99 feet). Most of whom don't have the proper flags (permits) for this particular activity. Some, with big boats, who should be even farther (60 meters - 198 feet) away. Others, which are privately owned yachts, that are either approaching from the wrong angles or quite abruptly cutting in front of the paths of these whales and going way too fast at close distances.

Why then, am I seeing a poor baby whale, repeatedly leaping (breaching) out of the water for an extended amount of time in an attempt to tell his mother that he is not able to keep up with her as she is swimming too fast in order to evade all the boats around her while the tourists on the boats applaud, quite oblivious of what is really going on right before their very own eyes. I'm even seeing babies separated from their mothers, or just lie there, exhausted after so much physical effort. I see angry tails' slashes, brought on by the intense fear and frustration that all this noise and activity around them is creating.

It is true that these behaviors can sometimes be a simple act of play or even a baby working on his coordination. But the important thing here is to be able to tell the difference, to see the nuances in the whale's behavior that tell you whether they are having fun or whether they are attempting to flee. This is the most important key in proper whale watching.

Why am I seeing these things happen in our own Bay? Most often, people don't have the appropriate means or readily available information in order to make the right decisions when choosing a tour provider or are often pressured into buying from the wrong companies. Some just want to save a buck and choose the cheapest tour available. Since the proper permits are costly, the accredited companies may charge slightly more.

I sincerely hope that the information enclosed in these articles will shed some light on this subject and hopefully, provide you with sufficient information to help you choose adequately. Bring this newspaper back home with you and share this information with people you know. Knowledge is the key.

If you care about these precious creatures of our seas and wish to actively participate in the conservation of this species while enjoying their beauty, make sure the tour provider you will be going out with has the proper permits, trained guides and strictly follows the guidelines.

A company who also spends time and money collecting data on these creatures, hence, actively participating in conservation efforts, while providing you with an wonderful, educative experience is a great way to start. This will leave you with a good deal more to tell your family and friends about when you go back home. "Isn't it great? We saw a courtship group!" They will then ask: "What's that?" And you'll have incredible tales to tell about your extraordinary experience. Better than: "Yeah, we saw whales. They were cool," don't you think?

Whale watching is not about seeing a good show, we have theaters for that. Sure, if Nature cooperates, that's just what you'll get. But it's really about seeing these whales in their natural environment behaving like they normally do. It's about being able to see the delight in your children's eyes, years from now, as they also witness their beauty, right here in Banderas Bay. Let's not shoot ourselves in the foot.