Mapping and Sustainable Management of Whale Watching in the Lesser Antilles

Cartographie et gestion durable du whale watching dans les Petites Antilles

Lindo Woudenberg ()
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Lindo Woudenberg: Université des Antilles (Pôle Martinique) - UA - Université des Antilles

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Abstract: The marine ecosystems of the Lesser Antilles, though rich, are fragile and face numerous human-induced pressures, including tourism. Whale watching, while an alternative to other forms of mass tourism, can lead to ecological disturbances if poorly managed. This presentation explores how the integration of geographic information systems (GIS) can contribute to the sustainable management of this activity. By combining GPS data from tourist boats, mapping of cetacean habitats, and analysis of marine corridors, this approach identifies critical areas of overlap between tourism and biodiversity. The visual results generated by GIS will enable the proposal of tailored regulations, such as visitor quotas, codes of conduct for operators, and marine zoning that preserves essential ecological corridors. This methodology also helps strengthen local governance through increased involvement of stakeholders. By facilitating informed spatial planning, this project demonstrates that whale watching can become a driver of sustainable development while minimizing its environmental impacts.

Keywords: Tourism management; Whale watching; Marine ecotourism; Lesser Antilles; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Cetacean habitat; Marine zoning; Sustainable tourism; Biodiversity conservation; Spatial planning; Marine corridors; Local governance; gestion du tourisme; corridors marins; gouvernance locale; aménagement du territoire; conservation de la biodiversité; tourisme durable; zonage marin; habitat des cétacés; systèmes d'information géographique (SIG); Petites Antilles; écotourisme marin; Observation des baleines (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-03-18
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Published in De l'océan à la côte : l’information géographique en mouvement, MeriGeo, OFB – Office Français de la Biodiversité, Ifremer, SHOM – Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine, Mar 2025, Nantes, France

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05619625

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