Swimming with humpback whales in northern Peru

Discovering Peru beyond Machu Picchu
2023-05-01
/
/ Peru
Swimming with humpback whales in northern Peru

There is a plethora of experiences even in the Pacific Ocean adjoining Peruvian coastline which are increasingly attracting visitors from all over the world

Besides its world-renowned architectural heritage and landscapes, Peru offers a lot of diverse and unique experiences beyond its land borders, notably the humpback whales that make northern Peru their home for several months every year.
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Peru is perhaps best known for its architectural heritage and its historical sites. But Peru’s appeal is not limited to the numerous experiences and adventures on the mainland. There is a plethora of experiences even in the Pacific Ocean adjoining Peruvian coastline which are increasingly attracting visitors from all over the world.

One such experience is going whale watching in the sea off the coast of northern Peru. The Southeast Pacific, including Peru, is home, among other species of global importance, to the humpback whale, which is known in the scientific world as megaptera novaeangliae. The life of the humpbacks of this region takes place between the feeding areas in the icy waters of the southern American continent and Antarctica and the breeding areas in the warm tropical coasts, up to 10° North of the Equator.

The distance between these areas is 6,500 to 8,500 km, which they cover twice a year, when they give birth and raise their calves and when they return to Antarctic waters. The longevity of humpback whales is estimated between approximately 40 and 50 years.

The complex song of humpback whales provides the first evidence of vocal learning in mammals after humans. Although the songs have been recorded in all areas, both breeding and feeding areas and during migratory routes, they are considered mainly associated with reproduction. Some authors suggest that the songs are emitted by sexually mature solitary males in order to attract a female to mate; others also propose that the songs are a communication strategy between males.

The Instituto del Mar del Perú (IMARPE) carries out observations of cetaceans during scientific cruises to periodically assess the stocks of small pelagic fish. From them it can be deduced that there are sightings of humpback whales in the Peruvian sea during different months throughout the year, being more frequent from mid-July through mid-October. It has recently been observed that one of the areas with the highest concentration of humpback whales during the months in question is the Bay of Sechura, in Piura, on the northern Peruvian coast.

Humpback whale watching tourism has become an important source of income for coastal communities that have traditionally lived from fishing

Peru is part of the International Whaling Commission and is a signatory to the main international agreements for wildlife management, and has legal instruments for the management of marine biological diversity that include humpback whales and other marine mammals.

In Peru, there are three entities that have carried out research and conservation with humpback whales and other marine mammals. These include the state-run Instituto del Mar del Perú, IMARPE, and two NGOs, CEPEC and ACOREMA. IMARPE has been conducting research on humpback whales on Lobos de Tierra Island on the north coast since late 2004. CEPEC conducts non-periodic monitoring along the Peruvian coast collecting information on cetaceans and humpback whales.

Humpback whale watching tourism has become an important source of income for coastal communities that have traditionally lived from fishing, contributing significantly to their economic development. For this reason, it is expected that the effective application of management measures, as well as the control of the impacts that affect the population of humpback whales, will contribute to their population growth and conservation, and in this way, the economic benefits will be maintained or increased in the future for the inhabitants of the region.

In recent decades, the interest and concern for marine biodiversity and for whales in particular is growing in Peru, which has resulted in an increase in support for scientific research on the humpback whale and in the number of related professionals, even though it is still limited. Concomitant with this, the demand and the need for the knowledge that is required for its conservation has expanded.

Indian tourists who wish to support the preservation of this important marine species are invited to enjoy one of the most spectacular experiences on the Peruvian coast, a bespoke adventure for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The initiative is being proactively promoted by the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism (PROMPERÚ).

Whale watching is a three-and-a-half-hour tour by boat, yacht or along the beaches of El Ñuro, Máncora, Cabo Blanco, Los Órganos and Punta Sal. During this adventure you can enjoy the courtship dances of some of the more than 5,000 cetaceans that arrive from Antarctic waters and also the sighting of sea turtles, dolphins, sea lions, manta rays and sharks.

Luis Cabello is Trade & Tourism Counsellor of Peru in India. The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of India Outbound.

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