Whale watching must be regulated if the industry wishes to sustain itself for an indefinite period. Regulations provide all licensed operators with a 'level playing field' and if properly enforced, encourage cooperation and tolerance between operators. This is the basis for a successful whale-watch industry in the long term. We all have a moral responsibility to minimise disturbance and ensure their wellbeing. Whale watchers themselves are becoming more and more concerned about the welfare of whales and dolphins.
Bad reputations stick and they also travel around the globe amazingly quickly.
Finally, competent, careful boat handling, within a framework of regulations, always results in better whale watching. There is no international set of regulations for whale watching. This is because it is not possible to develop regulations which are appropriate for all species and situations in all countries. Regulations vary from one place to another according to many different factors. The more boats involved and the more people relying on the industry to make a living, the more difficult it becomes to introduce, monitor and then enforce regulations of any kind.