Boat operators in Bocas del Toro, Panama display low levels of compliance with national whale-watching regulations

Abstract

In Bocas del Toro, Panama, unregulated dolphin-watching tourism has resulted in international concern. There are less than 100 resident bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) in Bocas del Toro that are genetically isolated from other populations in the Caribbean. Over just three years (2012–2014), at least 10 resident dolphins have died due to boat collisions. Panama does, however, have official whale-watching guidelines. This study conducted a boat-based survey from July to August 2013, to evaluate compliance with these guidelines. Indeed, the results show that dolphin-watching boats in Bocas were frequently violating Panama's whale-watching guidelines. During 817min of direct observation, boats were closer than the regulated 100m 71% of the time. Boat engines were only switched off or idle 31% of the time when vessels were 50m or closer. Only 55% of all observed dolphin-watching interactions were following the whale-watching guideline of 1–2 boats concurrently. Forty-five percent of the time, 3–15 boats were watching the dolphins. Results from this study provide evidence of a high level of noncompliance with Panama's whale-watching guidelines. Thus, these results indicate that the resident dolphin population in Bocas del Toro, Panama will be threatened if this unmanaged whale-watching tourism continues.