Abstract

Ecotour compliance to viewing guidelines should be evaluated holistically, considering actual and perceived compliance levels, as well as boat captain and passenger knowledge of the guidelines. This multi-faceted approach was used to assess ecotour compliance levels to the NOAA marine mammal viewing guidelines while interacting with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Southwest Florida. Ecotour compliance was assessed via observations of boat-based dolphin ecotours in 2019. Captain and passenger knowledge and opinions of the guidelines were obtained through questionnaires, as well as captains’ perceived compliance and how compliance affected passenger experience. Ecotour captains violated an average of 44% of the guidelines. Captains generally knew and supported the guidelines, as well as knew when they were being noncompliant, with 75% demonstrating equally perceived and observed compliance levels. This may reflect a lack of understanding of the cumulative effects of noncompliance on dolphins. Passengers supported the guidelines and valued compliance but did not have enough knowledge about the guidelines to recognize captain violations. Most passengers were willing to pay more for compliant tours, and 84% reported that guideline violations would negatively affect their trip. Our findings can inform management and outreach initiatives in the region to increase compliance.

摘要

应全面评估生态旅游对观看指南的遵守情况，考虑实际和感知的遵守水平，以及船长和乘客对指南的了解。这种多方面的方法被用来评估生态旅游对 NOAA 海洋哺乳动物观赏指南的遵守程度，同时与宽吻海豚 ( Tursiops truncatus) 在佛罗里达州西南部。通过对 2019 年乘船海豚生态旅游的观察评估了生态旅游合规性。通过问卷调查获得了船长和乘客对指南的了解和意见，以及船长的合规意识以及合规如何影响乘客体验。Ecotour 船长平均违反了 44% 的指南。船长们普遍了解并支持这些指导方针，也知道他们什么时候不遵守规定，75% 的船长表现出同样的感知和观察到的遵守水平。这可能反映出对不遵守规定对海豚的累积影响缺乏了解。乘客支持指南并重视合规性，但对指南的了解不足，无法识别机长的违规行为。大多数乘客愿意为合规旅行支付更多费用，84% 的人报告说，违反指南会对他们的旅行产生负面影响。我们的调查结果可以为该地区的管理和外展计划提供信息，以提高合规性。