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Effects of whale-based tourism in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga: Behavioural responses of humpback whales to vessel and swimming tourism activities

Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, is a well-established whale-watching destination in the South Pacific. Between July and October, the waters around the archipelago represent one of the most important breeding grounds for Oceania humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The Tongan government allows tourist swimming activities with whales and tour operators strongly promote the practice of swimming-with-whales, focusing primarily on mother-calf pairs.

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The ‘Tonga State of Environment Report 2018’ highlights that collaborations between the Ministry of Fisheries and coastal communities in the implementation of Special Management Areas have contributed to the protection of marine species, and helped ensure that local communities maintain their abi

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The Cook Islands, Niue, Solomon Islands, and Tonga have approved their national State of the Environment (SoE) reports, whilst in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change has pre-approved the country’s report.