{"id":10219,"date":"2026-04-09T01:44:56","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T23:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/nos-recherches-copy\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T08:59:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T06:59:17","slug":"metodo","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/es\/method\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuestro m\u00e9todo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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La base de investigaci\u00f3n de la organizaci\u00f3n medioambiental Shelltone Whale Project, situada en Cadaqu\u00e9s, es la primera instalaci\u00f3n del mundo<\/strong> dedicada al estudio y desarrollo de metodolog\u00edas de investigaci\u00f3n respetuosas con los cet\u00e1ceos<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n


Bajo la direcci\u00f3n de Pierre Lavagne de Castellan, esta base lleva a cabo campa\u00f1as mar\u00edtimas peri\u00f3dicas destinadas a mejorar y normalizar los protocolos de observaci\u00f3n de cet\u00e1ceos, con el fin de minimizar las perturbaciones y evitar cualquier impacto negativo en los animales en su h\u00e1bitat natural.<\/p>\n

Estas actividades de investigaci\u00f3n son fundamentales para nuestra organizaci\u00f3n, cuyo objetivo principal es la conservaci\u00f3n de los cet\u00e1ceos mediante el fomento de pr\u00e1cticas responsables y basadas en la ciencia en el avistamiento de ballenas.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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NUESTRO M\u00c9TODO<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Nuestras \u00e1reas de investigaci\u00f3n operativa<\/h1>\n

Desde nuestra sede en Cadaqu\u00e9s, desarrollamos y probamos en condiciones reales protocolos para mejorar las pr\u00e1cticas de avistamiento de ballenas<\/strong>, con un objetivo claro: minimizar el impacto humano sobre los cet\u00e1ceos<\/strong>.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Distancias de aproximaci\u00f3n<\/h1>\n

Las distancias de observaci\u00f3n no pueden estandarizarse: var\u00edan seg\u00fan la especie y el comportamiento. Los grandes cet\u00e1ceos suelen seguir trayectorias rectas, lo que permite anticipar sus movimientos y mantener una distancia de seguridad. Los delfines, por su parte, son impredecibles. A menudo son ellos quienes inician la interacci\u00f3n, sobre todo acerc\u00e1ndose a la proa para jugar. En tales situaciones, ya no es posible controlar la distancia. La responsabilidad del operador pasa entonces a ser de car\u00e1cter conductual: mant\u00e9n una velocidad constante, sigue un rumbo fijo y nunca intentes seguir ni perseguir a los animales<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Posicionamiento y \u00e1ngulo de aproximaci\u00f3n<\/h1>\n

No te acerques por detr\u00e1s<\/strong>. Sorprende al animal, altera su trayectoria y le provoca un estr\u00e9s similar al de una persecuci\u00f3n. Sin embargo, esta pr\u00e1ctica sigue estando muy extendida, sobre todo para provocar que los grandes cet\u00e1ceos se sumerjan y para obtener fotograf\u00edas de la cola, que a menudo se consideran un trofeo. Consideramos que estas pr\u00e1cticas son incompatibles con una observaci\u00f3n respetuosa.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Aproximaci\u00f3n lateral controlada<\/h1>\n

El enfoque recomendado es lateral y progresivo.<\/strong> La embarcaci\u00f3n se sit\u00faa en un rumbo paralelo al del animal, a cierta distancia. No se esconde, no se cruza en su camino ni lo persigue. En esta configuraci\u00f3n, se percibe como un elemento neutral en el entorno. Solo tras una fase de observaci\u00f3n cuidadosa \u2014nado regular, ausencia de aceleraci\u00f3n, estabilidad del grupo\u2014 se puede plantearse un acercamiento muy gradual. Este acercamiento se realiza desviando ligeramente el rumbo hasta alcanzar la distancia de comodidad del animal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Renuncia positiva<\/h1>\n

Hay situaciones en las que est\u00e1 prohibido cualquier acercamiento: la presencia de madres con sus cr\u00edas, las zonas de cr\u00eda, las fases de apareamiento o las escenas de caza en pleno desarrollo. En estos casos, acercarse supone interrumpir comportamientos vitales<\/strong>. El capit\u00e1n se enfrenta a una disyuntiva cl\u00e1sica: respetar al animal o satisfacer las expectativas de los pasajeros. Abogamos por una tercera v\u00eda: la renuncia positiva. Esto implica explicar claramente la situaci\u00f3n y por qu\u00e9 no intervenir es un acto de respeto. Cuando se comprende esta decisi\u00f3n, no solo se acepta, sino que se valora.<\/strong>. La renuncia se convierte entonces en algo positivo para los animales, para el operador y para la propia experiencia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Esta investigaci\u00f3n constituye la base del m\u00e9todo Shelltone Whale Project y contribuye al desarrollo de pr\u00e1cticas de observaci\u00f3n de ballenas respetuosas, no intrusivas y sostenibles.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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ACT\u00daA PARA PROTEGER A LOS CET\u00c1CEOS<\/h1>\n

ELIGIENDO EL OPERADOR ADECUADO PARA TU EXCURSI\u00d3N\u00a0<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Pierre Lavagne De Castellan<\/span><\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Bioac\u00fastico marino \u2013 Et\u00f3logo \u2013 Fundador de Shelltone Whale Project<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Desde 1981, mi pasi\u00f3n por los cet\u00e1ceos y mi investigaci\u00f3n sobre la comunicaci\u00f3n entre especies con las ballenas me han llevado a trabajar en los h\u00e1bitats donde estos animales viven y se reproducen. A lo largo de los a\u00f1os, he visto c\u00f3mo el avistamiento de ballenas ha pasado de ser una pr\u00e1ctica minoritaria, reservada a aficionados y cient\u00edficos en los a\u00f1os 80 y 90, a convertirse en una actividad de turismo de masas en la d\u00e9cada de los 2000.<\/p>\n

Este desarrollo descontrolado ha dado lugar a una proliferaci\u00f3n de embarcaciones en las zonas de vida de los cet\u00e1ceos, con acercamientos que a menudo resultan irrespetuosos, dictados por la necesidad de satisfacer las expectativas de los turistas. Las consecuencias de este acoso constante no tardaron en hacerse evidentes: estr\u00e9s, p\u00e9rdida de apetito y de libido en los animales, e incluso el abandono de determinados territorios.<\/p>\n

A pesar de los esfuerzos de los santuarios marinos por regular esta actividad mediante contratos de fletamento y cursos de formaci\u00f3n, muchos operadores siguen incumpliendo las normas, buscando acercamientos espectaculares e intrusivos sin controles reales.<\/p>\n

Afortunadamente, he conocido a operadores apasionados y respetuosos, que se gu\u00edan por su amor por los cet\u00e1ceos y no por el beneficio econ\u00f3mico. Sus conocimientos les permiten adoptar un enfoque amable y respetuoso, lo que da lugar a encuentros aut\u00e9nticos y tranquilos con los animales.<\/p>\n

Shelltone Whale Project tiene como objetivo dar a conocer y promover a estos operadores responsables, ofreciendo a todo el mundo la oportunidad de elegir una experiencia en el mar armoniosa y respetuosa con los cet\u00e1ceos. Al reservar tus excursiones a trav\u00e9s de nuestra organizaci\u00f3n, apoyas nuestra misi\u00f3n de promover pr\u00e1cticas responsables y proteger a los cet\u00e1ceos de acercamientos intrusivos.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The research base of the environmental organization Shelltone Whale Project, located in Cadaqu\u00e9s, is the world\u2019s first facility dedicated to the study and development of cetacean-friendly research methodologies. Under the direction of Pierre Lavagne de Castellan, this base conducts regular sea campaigns aimed at improving and standardizing cetacean observation protocols to minimize disturbance and avoid […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":11333,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10219","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"

The research base of the environmental organization Shelltone Whale Project, located in Cadaqu\u00e9s, is the world\u2019s first facility<\/strong> dedicated to the study and development of cetacean-friendly research methodologies<\/strong>.<\/h2>


Under the direction of Pierre Lavagne de Castellan, this base conducts regular sea campaigns aimed at improving and standardizing cetacean observation protocols to minimize disturbance and avoid any negative impact on animals in their natural habitat.<\/p>

These research activities are fundamental to our organization, whose primary objective is the conservation of cetaceans through the promotion of responsible, science-based whale watching practices.<\/p>\n

OUR METHOD<\/h1>\n\"\"\n

Our areas of operational research<\/h1>

From our base in Cadaqu\u00e9s, we develop and test in real-life conditions protocols to improve whale watching practices<\/strong>, with a clear objective: minimize human impact on cetaceans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Approach distances<\/h1>

Observation distances cannot be standardized: they vary according to species and behaviour. Large cetaceans generally follow straight trajectories, which enables them to anticipate their movements and maintain a safe distance. Dolphins, on the other hand, are unpredictable. They are often the ones who initiate interaction, notably by coming to play at the bow. In such situations, distance can no longer be controlled. The operator's responsibility then becomes behavioral: maintain a steady speed, stay on a fixed course, and never try to follow or chase animals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\"\"\n\"\"\n

Positioning and approach angle<\/h1>

Do not approach from the rear<\/strong>. It surprises the animal, disrupts its trajectory and generates stress akin to pursuit. However, this practice is still widespread, notably to provoke the diving of large cetaceans and to obtain photographs of the tail, often perceived as a trophy. We consider these practices incompatible with respectful observation.<\/p>\n

Controlled lateral approach<\/h1>

The recommended approach is lateral and progressive.<\/strong> The boat positions itself on a course parallel to that of the animal, at a distance. It doesn't hide, it doesn't cross the road, it doesn't chase. In this configuration, it is perceived as a neutral element in the environment. It is only after a phase of careful observation - regular swimming, absence of acceleration, stability of the group - that a very gradual approach can be envisaged. This approach is made by slightly deviating course until the animal's comfort distance is reached.<\/p>\n\"\"\n\"\"\n

Positive renunciation<\/h1>

Certain situations prohibit any approach: presence of mothers with their young, nurseries, mating phases or scenes of active hunting. In these situations, approaching means disrupting vital behaviour<\/strong>. The captain is faced with a classic tension: respecting the animal or satisfying passenger expectations. We advocate a third way: positive renunciation. This involves clearly explaining the situation, and explaining why not intervening is an act of respect. When this decision is understood, it is not only accepted, it is valued.<\/strong>. Renunciation then becomes positive for the animals, for the operator and for the experiment itself.<\/p>\n

This research forms the basis of the Shelltone Whale Project method\u00a0and contribute to the development of whale watching practices that are respectful, non-intrusive and sustainable.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT CETACEANS<\/h1>

BY CHOOSING THE RIGHT OPERATOR FOR YOUR OUTING\u00a0<\/h1>\n Discover responsible operators <\/a>\n\"\"\n

Pierre Lavagne De Castellan<\/h1>\n

Marine bioacoustician - Ethologist - Founder of Shelltone Whale Project<\/h5>\n

Since 1981, my passion for cetaceans and my research into inter-species communication with whales have led me to work in habitats where these animals live and reproduce. Over the years, I've watched whale watching evolve from a confidential practice reserved for enthusiasts and scientists in the 80s and 90s, to a mass tourism activity in the 2000s.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

Fortunately, I 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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>\n\"\"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10219"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11986,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10219\/revisions\/11986"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelltonewhaleproject.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}