Kia Angi Puku to Hoe I Te Wai: Ocean Noise and Tourism

Abstract

Ubuntu, a traditional African concept, acknowledges interconnectedness between humans and between humans and nature. This concept is also central to the worldview of Maori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand, where the phrase kaitiakitanga is used to express the guardianship responsibilities Maori have with all living things. Such indigenous paradigms are pertinent to the issue of ocean noise, including the effect of human induced ocean noise on cetaceans. Few studies have focused on quantifying sound produced by tour boats and their effects, nor has research been conducted on the deliberate use of sound to create and enhance interactions between tourists and targeted species. It is argued here that an alternate approach to management is needed to minimize any potential effects on targeted species.