According to Travel and Tour World, data collected by tour companies in Antarctica is enhancing conservation efforts for whales and seals along the Peninsula. The Voluntary Cetacean and Pinniped Sightings Program (V-CaPS), initiated by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) in 2022, involves field staff on IAATO vessels documenting whale and seal sightings. This data helps map wildlife presence around the western Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.
Since its inception in the 2022-23 Antarctic season, V-CaPS has contributed to improved whale protections, including an extended slow-down zone in the Gerlache Strait and a new zone around the South Shetland Islands and Elephant Island group. Gina Greer, IAATO Executive Director, emphasized the program's role in utilizing extensive regional knowledge to support wildlife protection.
Historically, marine mammals in Antarctica faced severe hunting pressures, but recent conservation efforts have spurred population recoveries. IAATO has developed procedures to safely observe Antarctic wildlife. Measures introduced in 2019 to reduce vessel strike risks have been strengthened, including a 10-kn speed limit in designated areas and whale avoidance training for bridge teams.
In the 2022-23 season, IAATO encouraged voluntary data submission on marine mammal sightings through V-CaPS to establish where wildlife and tourism intersect. Sightings were frequent in the Gerlache Strait and South Shetland Islands. Consequently, IAATO extended the Gerlache Strait slow-down zone to cover most of the tour season and added a new zone around the South Shetland Islands.
The V-CaPS program's data will continue to guide IAATO's decisions in future seasons. IAATO members have long contributed to scientific research, including the Happywhale project. Ted Cheeseman, Happywhale's founder, praised IAATO's proactive measures to protect whales, highlighting the importance of collected data in advocating for ship strike risk mitigation.
