Dolphin watching tourists in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: knowledge and conservation

Abstract

The components of interpretation and education in whale/dolphin watching tours, besides providing leisure to the participants, are involved in the satisfaction and creation of an environmental awareness. This study aimed to understand the perception, learning and tendency to conservation attitudes of the participants of dolphin-watching in Fernando de Noronha (FN). Were applied 140 questionnaires with tourists after participating in dolphin watching tours in FN. Participants living in the southeastern region of Brazil (57.9%) and with College education (88.6%) were the majority among respondents. Although the dolphin is the main marketing figure for tourism in FN, “sun and beach” tourism was the most cited reason for the trip. The satisfaction declared by respondents was high for both the “Dolphins's Deck” (viewing platform) (94.4%) and the boat tour (83.1%). Respondents visiting the “Dolphins's Deck”, where the educational component is most evident, tended to provide more correct answers related to knowledge and legislation towards dolphins protection in FN. The opportunity to observe a charismatic animal in a natural environment, as occurs with the spinner dolphin in FN, makes it easier for tourist guides and managers to access the affective component of tourists. Providing clear and objective information for tourists may promote long-term changes in their behavior and attitude and contribute to the spinner dolphin protection and to the archipelago preservation.