Dolphins and Ecotourism - Coursework Example

? Ecotourism Ecotourism Introduction When it comes to the assessment of marine life, pristine waters and natural fragile areas, eco-tourism is a popular procedure to conduct this assessment. Ecotourism is a procedure of visiting natural undistributed sites in order to improve the ecological conservation of those sites and locations. The process of ecotourism is significant to effectuate the ecological cycle, which improves lives of the people and the living of organisms (Diamantis, 2004). The motive behind ecotourism is to prosper the socio-cultural, economic and environmental conditions of people associated with ecotourism. Similarly, another objective of ecotourism is to improve the ecological state of the visited sites, i.e. improving life in marine and life in seas and oceans (Fennell & Dowling, 2003). This report is assessing the ecotourism activity associated to dolphins, which are one of the species that are most challenged due to natural resources’ depletion. Concerning to dolphins’ ecology, the argument stands out that due to human-derived impact such as the environmental pollution, eutrophication, and exploitation of the seas and oceans, dolphin’s life is under threat. The objective of this report is to find out that how ecotourism is facilitating the ecological conservation of dolphins. What challenges ecologists face while they tour areas populated with dolphins will be answered in this report. The subject of ecotourism will be further be studied and comprehended in this report. What are Dolphins? In order to understand ecotourism with respect to dolphins, it is primarily important to understand dolphins in their nature. Therefore, this section is describing dolphins, their behavior, their ecology and their living patterns in changing water conditions (Viddi & Ribeiro, 2004). Dolphins are marine mammals mostly categorized in the families of porpoises and whales. Dolphins fall in 17 genera and are discovered in almost 40 different species (Garrod & Wilson, 2003). Dolphins are warm-blooded and precisely keep the companionship and friendly behavior with humans. Almost 34 dolphins are considered as marine dolphins while the remaining 6 species are popularly known as river dolphins (Viddi & Ribeiro, 2004). Dolphins are sharp. They are smart and considered as the most intelligent mammals. Their intelligence makes them distinctive among all the mammals (Garrod & Wilson, 2003). Moreover, their response and action carry the great remark by researchers and ecologists (The Dolphin Institute, 2002). The contemporary studies assert that dolphins are mostly found in oceans and seas. They live in blue waters and also found in sea aquatic regions. Dolphins are mostly in groups (Garrod & Wilson, 2003). The ecological researchers describe that dolphins are familiar with group patterns and group environments. In this way, dolphins live in a team format. They catch food collaboratively and interact with the environment and humans in the synergetic way. All these characteristics describe dolphins as unique and distinctive mammals (Gale, 2001). Dolphins and Ecotourism The Reynolds-Braithwaite Model In order to identify effects which dolphins have in their environments, the Reynolds-Braithwaite Model can be brought into significant application. This model is effectively applied in ecotourism practices, especially when tours are arranged to study dolphins and their natural instinct (Fennell, 2007). The model consists of two sections in which one section asserts the effects on wildlife (dolphins) and the other displays the intensity of experience on wildlife. Below is how the model demonstrates two different sections: (Fennell, 2007) This model asserts intensity of experience on dolphins. The model assists eco-tourists on surveying a particular destination of dolphins. It comes out as a supportive demonstrating tool for researchers investigating wildlife (Fennell, 2007). Risks on Dolphins’ Conservation Applying the Reynolds-Braithwaite Model, risks on dolphins can effectively be investigated. This section is adopting the Reynolds model in order to identify the threats which dolphins are having in their natural existing environments (Fennell, 2007, p.31). Contemporary studies on dolphins will be used as collective empirical evidence (Birtlesb & Marsh, 2011). The most prominent dolphin species such as bottlenose dolphins are catching direct risks and threats from their influenced environments. It is because of human-derived impact that these marine species have to endure and suffer (Birtlesb & Marsh, 2011). Primarily, there are increasing threats on dolphins’ conservation, which is because of anthropogenic influence on the marine environment (Higham & Luck, 2008, p.31). There is a threat of dolphins’ habitat degradation which is also because of human population’s influence on the aquatic environment. Similarly, there are threats of direct take, pollution, water contamination, and fishery which dolphins are facing on the precise basis. The situation is challenging and enduring for dolphins and other marine mammals too as describe by a majority of the eco-travelers and researchers. The researchers have identified that if dolphins remain in the same critical and vulnerable situation their generations will deplete, and sooner will slow down with their reproduction cycle (The Dolphin Institute, 2002). The need is now to show concern on how dolphins and other marine mammals can be protected. How the marine environments can be secured from the human-derived impacts are concerns which eco-travelers and researchers put on to the aquatic life protection authorities. The situation is challenging both for environmentalists and the mammals, as the threats are increasing day by day and interventions are not to the sufficient level to control such growing threats. However the efforts for bringing interventions are still there in the eco-tourism practices. The efforts are on going to overcome the challenges undertaken by marine mammals (dolphins). This brings hope for the marine wildlife and for the eco-travelers who are in consistent effort to improve the quality of life of the mammals. The Marine Life Protection Programs According to the contemporary research, there are multiple protection acts passed by the environmental protection agencies. The 1972 marine mammal protection act is the first one to protect the marine mammals’ species such as dolphins. This act prohibits harm, harass or abuse to a marine life species such as dolphin giving full protection and security to dolphins and to their natural living existence (Fennell & Dowling, 2003). It is because of the MMP act the exploiting fishery activities are slowed down. The act keeps away dolphins from any threat or harm caused by the human population or human existence in the marine environment. The act actually reduces the human-derived influence on marine environments, protecting dolphins’ ecology and their natural living (The Dolphin Institute, 2002). The act comes out obligatory for all eco-travelers and researchers who are possibly travelling around to dolphin locations (Spoolman, 2008). The 1973 Endangered Species Act is another act to protect the marine dolphins. The act obligates that dolphins life is in high danger and has to be protected by all possible means (The Dolphin Institute, 2002). The act addresses the threat of depletion and threat of extinction on dolphins. The ES act comes out obligatory for all eco-travelers. If an area is identified with danger to dolphins, The Endangered Species Act restricts that location and prohibits the entry of travelers to that restricted location. This is how the act secures marine wildlife and the marine environment (Spoolman, 2008, p.256). Conservation and Attractions For visiting dolphin attraction sites, obligations are important to be met and understood. It is the first thing suggested to travelers that they meet all possible obligations. Environmental protection is the code of eco-tourism and therefore it has to be the code to be implied by all eco-travelers and tourists (Diamantis, 2004). There are different organizations which organize trips to different dolphin sites and locations. Belize Bottlenose is one of those that organize periodic trips to dolphin sites and locations (Birtlesb & Marsh, 2011). The organizer takes researchers to hotspots of dolphins where dolphins are easily accessible and are easy to sight. It organizes trips in the form of groups and teams and therefore carries teams of environmentalists, ecologists, aquatic specialists and marine life experts (Birtlesb & Marsh, 2011). Tourists can have enriched dolphin experience if they travel around with the Belize Bottlenose group. This project gives all the wonderful experience to explore the marine life of the friendly mammals “The Dolphins” (Diamantis, 2004). Dolphins are also found in semi-natural environments like in the dolphin parks, which are present in different parts and locations of the world. South Africa’s Bayworld Museum is famous for bottlenose dolphins, and the Adaland Dolphinpark Turkey is popular for its blue water dolphins (Birtlesb & Marsh, 2011). Similarly, the Ocean Park Hong Kong and the Attica Zoological Park Greece keep all the dolphin sight adventures for visitors. These are all dolphin attractions, which eco-travelers can find in different parts of the world (Birtlesb & Marsh, 2011). Conclusion The aim of ecotourism has been to improve the socio-cultural, economic and environmental situation of people who are associated with marine life and with ecotourism. The objective of ecotourism is to proposer the environmental status of the natural undistributed sites. This is to improve marine life, the wildlife and the life that exists in every possible pristine distinction. This report has produced knowledge on the ecotourism activity associated to dolphins. The report has focused on the marine life status of dolphins. It has identified the prevailing threats on dolphins such as water contamination, pollution, eutrophication and exploitation of the marine environments including oceans and seas. There are efforts being made to improve dolphins’ marine life situation. Efforts are there to improve the quality of life of dolphins. The research has portrayed knowledge on how dolphins are important to ecotourism. It has found that it is because of dolphins the activities of ecotourism are raised up and increased. It is due to dolphins that there are opportunities to explore one comprehensive mammal and opportunities to get entertained by such amazing and entertaining mammal. List of References Birtlesb, R.A. & Marsh, H., 2011. Attraction of dwarf minke whales. Journal of Ecotourism, 10(1), pp.64-76. Diamantis, D., 2004. Ecotourism: Management and Assessment. London: Cengage Learning. Fennell, D., 2007. Ecotourism Third Edition. London: Routledge. Fennell, D.A. & Dowling, R.K., 2003. Ecotourism Policy and Planning. Cambridge: CABI. Gale, S., 2001. Ecotourism in New Zealand: Profiling Visitors to New Zealand Ecotourism Operations. Research Report. Dunedin: School of Business University of Otago. Garrod, B. & Wilson, J.C., 2003. Marine Ecotourism: Issues and Experiences. New York: Channel View Publications. Higham, J.E.S. & Luck, M., 2008. Marine Wildlife and Tourism Management: Insights from the Natural and Social Sciences. Cambridge: CABI. Spoolman, S.E., 2008. Essentials of Ecology. Mason: Cengage Learning. The Dolphin Institute, 2002. Conservation. [Online] The Dolphin Institute Viewed at: [Accessed 19 December 2013]. Viddi, F. & Ribeiro, S., 2004. Ecology and Conservation Of Dolphins In Southern Chile. [Online] Viewed at: [Accessed 19 December 2013]. Read More