OUR MISSION
Protecting cetaceans with the charter Shelltone-Whale Respect
We need to support respectful whale watching.
Whale watching is a tourist activity that, while fascinating, is becoming increasingly popular. often abusive. Too many operators are still using irresponsible approaches that seriously disturb cetaceans. These animals are harassed, their natural behaviors are altered, and their stress levels increase, which can affect their health and reproduction.
Excessive exploitation of this activity threatens not only the ecological balance, but also the well-being of the whales. It is urgent to regulate to protect these giants of the oceans and allow them to live in peace. peace in their natural habitat.
Our goal: to protection and awareness
We are fully committed to protecting and conserving cetaceans in their natural environment. Faced with the worrying increase in abusive Whale Watching, which seriously disturbs whales and their habitat, we are working to to promote respectful and ethical practices. Our mission is to raise public awareness and thetourism operators to the importance of cetacean conservation and minimizing human impact on these vulnerable species.
Many whale watchers do remarkable, sensitive, aware and respectful work, and we must encourage and support them!
The Shelltone Whale Project assures this mission, with specialists, passionate people all around the world, we refer those which respect the animals, you can from now on also choose the respect!
The creation of the Shelltone Whale charter Respect
To achieve this goal, we have created a respectful charter for cetaceans. This charter establishes strict guidelines for whale watching, aimed at protecting their well-being and preserving their ecosystem.
We encourage a sustainable and responsible approach, where education and awareness are at the heart of tourism experiences. By adhering to this charter, operators undertake to maintain a safe distance, to limit the number of boats in the vicinity of cetaceans, and to avoid any form of harassment or disturbance.
Let's act together!
We firmly believe that by respecting these principles, it is possible to reconciling the public's sense of wonder these majestic marine animals and the essential preservation of their well-being and their natural habitat.
Together, we can work towards a future where whale-watching is done in a way that respects and protects the oceans.
We therefore encourage anyone interested in whale watching to to use the operators on our site, This guarantees that they comply with the Shelltone Whale Respect charter. By choosing these operators, you actively contribute to the protection of cetaceans and promoting sustainable and ethical tourism.
TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT CETACEANS
BY CHOOSING THE RIGHT OPERATOR FOR YOUR OUTING
Pierre Lavagne De Castellan
Marine bioacoustician - Ethologist - Founder of Shelltone Whale Project
Since 1981, our passion for cetaceans and our research into interspecies communication with whales have led us to work in places where these animals live and breed.
Over the years, we've seen whale watching evolve from a confidential practice in the 80s and 90s, reserved for enthusiasts and scientists, to a mass tourism activity in the 2000s.
This uncontrolled development has led to a proliferation of boats in cetacean living areas, with approaches that are often disrespectful, dictated by the need to satisfy tourist expectations. The consequences of this constant harassment quickly became apparent: stress, loss of appetite and libido in the animals, and even abandonment of certain territories.
Despite the efforts of marine sanctuaries to regulate this activity through charters and training courses, many operators continue to flout the rules, seeking spectacular and intrusive approaches with no real controls.
Fortunately, we have met passionate and respectful operators, guided by their love of cetaceans and not by profit. Their knowledge enables them to take a gentle, respectful approach, creating authentic, peaceful encounters with the animals.
Shelltone Whale Project aims to list and promote these conscientious operators, offering everyone the chance to choose a harmonious, cetacean-friendly experience at sea. By booking your outings through our organization, you support our mission to promote responsible practices and protect cetaceans from intrusive approaches.
