In a new Planet Whale initiative set to raise the standards of whale watching worldwide, nine whale and dolphin watching companies from around the world have committed to work in partnership to assist with developing a more responsible and sustainable whale and dolphin watching industry.

The partnership, which was developed by Planet Whale following a workshop involving 15 operators from across Europe, Africa, and Australia in November 2011, recognises the need for whale and dolphin watch operators to share ideas and work together towards a more sustainable future.

Said Planet Whale co-founder Dylan Walker: "We are proud to be working with some of the most talented and committed businesses involved in whale and dolphin watching today. This unique partnership of whale and dolphin watch operators will work together to highlight new ways in which the industry can become more sustainable, and more profitable, than ever before. It's a truly exciting opportunity for all of us!"

Currently, nine operators from three continents have joined the scheme, with more set to follow shortly. They include Whale Watch West Cork, Ireland; Dolphin Encountours, Mozambique; Turmares Tarifa, Spain; FIRMM, Spain; Marine Discovery Penzance, UK; Hebridean Whale Cruises, UK; Arctic Whale Tours, Norway; Elding, Iceland; and Whale Watching Panama, Panama.

Each partner will have the opportunity to share their ideas on responsible whale watching by contributing ‘case studies’ to a report entitled ‘2012 Report on Responsible Whale & Dolphin Watching – the commercial advantages of a sustainable approach’.  Each partner will play an important role, becoming an advisor for the industry in their specialist area. The report will be a significant step forward for whale watching, and will be distributed for free to whale and dolphin watch companies around the world, to other stakeholders and the public. 

Based on the five key areas that form the Planet Whale rating system, the report will highlight ways in which a responsible approach can also help businesses commercially.
 
The report will be published and launched on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th October 2012 at the first World Whale & Dolphin Watch Operators Conference, Brighton, UK. This conference, which will take place in the days leading up to the first global Whale Festival, will involve the first gathering of the world’s whale and dolphin watch operators, and the first-ever awards ceremony.

Partners will also be given the opportunity to form a judging panel for the first Whale & Dolphin Watch Operator Awards Ceremony. The panel will decide on the categories and agree the winners. Operators represented on the panel will be excluded from judging. However, there will also be awards based on the public rating system that require no judging and involve all operators listed on the Planet Whale website.

2012 will be the year when the whale and dolphin watching industry finally gets a voice! By working together we can help to make the industry more profitable and more sustainable than ever before. We look forward to working with our partners to make that happen.