Letter to the Editor:
For years the whale watch industry in Vavau has fought to have better practices and less licenses due to an over-saturation of licenses, badly behaved skippers and, in recent years, clients who believe they can do whatever they want in the water with the whales.
Numbers of whales visiting Vava'u steadily dropped from 2017 and only started returning after a three year break from COVID.
The Ministry of Tourism has advised various Ministers of Tourism that we are over-saturated and yet these Ministers take it upon themselves to issue more licenses, without any consideration to the whale watch regulations in which they are bound, the sustainability of the industry or the investment of existing operators.
As the one of the largest revenue providers of Vava'u, one would expect that communication with the Minister would prevail, yet the current Minister has failed to attended any zoom meetings or make himself available to hear industry concerns.
The Ministry of Tourism advised last year they no longer felt it necessary that a list of operators be provided, which stated who owned the business, its skippers and guides and how many passengers vessels could carry. The industry had been self-regulating for years, but now it is impossible to know who owns which boat and even if their skippers or guides have the appropriate certification.
Tonga signed in 2022, with South Pacific Tourism Organisation, a Pacific Sustainable Tourism Statement of Commitment, which ensures better co-ordination with regional efforts for a better future for the people through sustainable tourism development.
I and others in the industry ask:
- Why are more licenses being issued and to boats that are not suitable for the purpose of whale watching?
- Why is there no list of operators, their boats, skippers and guides and passenger numbers?
- What is the Minister’s understanding of sustainable tourism?
- Is it time that Ministry of Trade and Economic Development take over the issuing of licenses?
When the whales go from their breeding ground in Vava'u [to get away] from these unsustainable practices that are being forced upon them, how do you see the community making money?
Why are some companies allowed to duck-dive down with whales when companies with years of experience have seen the detrimental behavioural changes and have requested a total ban on it, which the Ministry has confirmed in writing?
Total transparency would be appreciated.
Kirsty Bowe
(daughter of Allan Bowe, pioneer of whale swimming in the Kingdom of Tonga)
General Manager
Mounu Island Resort / Whale Watch Vava'u Ltd
