Vanishing Giants: Sustainable Whale Watching & Gray Whale Decline

In this episode, we delve into a recent study led by researchers from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, including Omar García-Castañeda, Lorena Viloria-Gómora, and Véronique Sophie Ávila-Foucat. The study examines the challenges facing North Pacific gray whales and the whale-watching industry in Bahia Magdalena, Mexico. After a significant recovery from overexploitation, these whales have experienced unusual mortality events and a decline in calf production since 2019. Researchers developed a comprehensive model integrating ecological data—such as long-term whale counts—and socioeconomic factors, including tourist satisfaction and regulatory compliance. The study identifies key stressors like climate-induced changes in feeding and breeding areas, as well as the impact of tourism practices. Join us as we explore the intricate balance between conservation efforts and sustainable tourism, and discuss strategies to enhance the resilience of this vital social-ecological system.

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Show Notes

The Research Study: Climate change stands as the new challenge for whale watching and North Pacific gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in Bahia Magdalena, Mexico, after their recovery from overexploitation

The full research can be found at: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/conservation-science/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1397204/full

• Omar García-Castañeda: Researcher at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, lead author of the study on gray whale watching in Bahía Magdalena.
• Lorena Viloria-Gómora: Researcher at Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur and Gray Whale Research in Mexico, co-author of the study on gray whale watching in Bahía Magdalena.
• Véronique Sophie Ávila-Foucat: Researcher at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, co-author of the study on gray whale watching in Bahía Magdalena.
• Ernesto Vicente Vega-Peña: Researcher at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, co-author of the study on gray whale watching in Bahía Magdalena.
• Mario A. Pardo: Researcher at Consejo Nacional de Humanidades Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT) – Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), co-author of the study on gray whale watching in Bahía Magdalena.
• Gino Jafet Quintero-Venegas: Researcher at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, co-author of the study on gray whale watching in Bahía Magdalena.
• Jorge Urbán R.: Researcher at Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur and Gray Whale Research in Mexico, co-author of the study on gray whale watching in Bahía Magdalena.
• Steven Swartz: Researcher at Gray Whale Research in Mexico, co-author of the study on gray whale watching in Bahía Magdalena.
• Enrique Martínez-Meyer: Researcher at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, co-author of the study on gray whale watching in Bahía Magdalena.
• Eguchi: Conducted population size estimates for the Eastern North Pacific gray whales during the Unusual Mortality Event (UME).
• Stewart: Conducted a recent study that found a relationship between gray whale abundance and the biomass of food (crustaceans).