engleski

Sustainable dolphin watching tours as a tool to increase public awareness of marine conservation – a comparative analysis between two Mediterranean destinations and implications for management

Dolphin watching is growing fast along the European Mediterranean coasts, without an equivalent effort for its management and the monitoring of its effect on the target species. For years, whale and dolphin watching has been promoted as ecotourism with education and conservation benefits. However, only a few studies have investigated the potential of these tours to change the awareness of the participants and improve their pro-conservation sentiments. In the present study, the motivation, interest, knowledge, expectations, satisfaction and percep-tions of the dolphin watching tour participants were evaluated in two different sites (Sardinia, Italy and Lošinj Island, Croatia). The aim was to better address management strategies of dolphin watching in these regions and applicable to the wider Mediterranean Sea. The efficiency of dolphin watching tours, as a marine conservation tool, was tested to identify key features of the programmes that should be included or highlighted in the development of regulations in both Italy and Croatia. Based on the questionnaires filled by the participants (before and af-ter the experience), the dolphin watchers in both destinations showed a generally high environmental awareness and sense of responsibility towards marine con- servation. Moreover, awareness and responsibility increased after the experience. The results of the study reveal that in Sardinia and Lošinj, and even at the Medi- terranean level, dolphin watching tour management should be regulated by a set of legislative actions. In addition, a carefully planned educational component would maximise the pro-environmental effects of the tours and minimize the im-pact on the target species.

dolphin watching management ; marine conservation ; tourist perceptions ; customer satisfaction, wildlife tourism

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