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What we do

Whale Watch International (formerly the Responsible Whale Watch Partnership) is a global partnership of whale and dolphin watching businesses working together to promote responsible whale watching worldwide. Facilitated by Planet Whale, Whale Watch International is fast becoming a recognised international authority on responsible whale watching, and includes some of the industry's leading experts on such issues as marketing, boat handling guidelines, sustainability, education, science, and public outreach.

In 2013, 30 partners based in 20 countries worldwide worked collaboratively to benefit from each other's skills and ideas, and develop new opportunities for future collaboration. The achievements of the partnership already include the 2012 Report on Responsible Whale and Dolphin Watching - the first ever to be produced by and for the whale watching industry - packed with top tips on how to make your business more responsible and more profitable than ever before! Partners are currently working on case studies to be included in the 2013 Report.

The partnership has now also delivered two successful International Watch Conferences, organised two Responsible Whale Watch Awards, won by Conscious Breath Adventures and Marine Discovery Penzance successively, and raised the profile of responsible whale watching in the media, with governments, and in the tourism sector.

In 2013 Whale Watch International also developed a Steering Committee, appointed Regional Representatives, and saw significant membership expansion. Members attended the successful meeting with the IWC Whale Watching Working Group in May, and assisted the Born Free Foundation and ABTA on the whale watching aspect of new global guidelines for animal welfare in tourism.

In 2014 WHALE WATCH INTERNATIONAL WILL:

1. Work with partners to co-author the 2014 Responsible Whale Watch Report

2. Create Whale Watch International 'Zone' at WhaleFest 2014 with exhibitor stand promoting all of the partners, and speaker opportunities

3. Develop and launch a new website, Facebook page, and forum for Whale Watch International and its partners

4. Attend at least one International Trade Fair to promote Whale Watch International, the partners, and responsible whale watching

5. Create a Whale Watch International leaflet promoting responsible whale watching and including partner logos. For distribution to all partners

6. Promote an educational theme for 2014 of 'take action', encouraging operators within and outside WWI to participate

7. Develop and launch a Global Accreditation Scheme for responsible whale and dolphin watching

8. Organize and take part in the third International Whale Watch Conference, scheduled to be held in Panama, November 2014.

9. Develop the following working groups to achieve the above objectives:

a.    Marketing and cross-promotion
b.    Education and awareness raising
c.    Accreditation scheme development