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The response of marine tucuxis (Sotalia fluviatilis) towards tourist boats involves avoidance behaviour and a reduction in foraging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

ML Carrera ,
EGP Favaro  and
A Souto
ML Carrera
Affiliation:
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia, Avenida Prof Moraes Rego S/N, Cidade Universitária, 50670-420, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
EGP Favaro
Affiliation:
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia, Avenida Prof Moraes Rego S/N, Cidade Universitária, 50670-420, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
A Souto*
Affiliation:
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia, Avenida Prof Moraes Rego S/N, Cidade Universitária, 50670-420, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: toni_souto@yahoo.com
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Abstract

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Marine ecotourism has undergone worldwide expansion in recent years, leading to increased concern regarding the impact on the environment. Despite this, however, few studies into the potential effect of tourist boats on dolphin welfare, have been carried out. In order to evaluate the impact of these activities on the presence and foraging behaviour of the threatened marine tucuxis (Sotalia fluviatilis), we observed them: 1) prior to the arrival of a boat in the bay; 2) for the duration of a vessel's stay in the bay and 3) after the boat's departure: ie pre-exposure, exposure and post-exposure phases. Both the average number of dolphins and the foraging activity were significantly reduced while a vessel was in the bay. Marine tucuxis are exclusively coastal and show fidelity to the site where they choose to live which makes any environmental disturbance of particular importance. Moreover, our findings are further evidence of the need for motorboat activity to be regulated and monitored to protect marine tucuxis as well as other coastal and estuarine dolphins.

Keywords

animal welfareecotourismhuman disturbancemarine tucuxiSotalia fluviatilistourist boats
Type
Articles
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , May 2008 , pp. 117 - 123
Copyright
© 2008 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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