More whale-watchers to Mirissa

by Ranil Wijayapala

Among the many tourist attractions in our country, whale-watching has gathered pace during a short span of time. Mirissa a popular location for whale-watching is now ranked as the best destination to see blue whales.

Over 30 registered boats operate in Mirissa. Foreign visitors are keen to venture into sea to take a closer look at these giant marine mammals. A large number of visitors flock to Mirissa daily to experience this unique opportunity.

Blue whales are over 30 metres long and weigh around 200 tons. Their tongues weigh as much as an elephant's tongue. Statistics reveal that there are less than 25,000 blue whales surviving in the oceans.

According to statistics of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, whale-watchers to Mirissa last month had increased sharply. The Ministry of Defence and Urban Development and Wildlife Conservation Department has authorised the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to regulate whale watching cruises operating from Mirissa.

According to records maintained by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, 18,051 tourists (local 1,267, foreigners 16,784) enjoyed whale-watching in Mirissa from September to December 2013, while in January, 13,630 engaged in whale-watching.

Of this number, 12,698 were foreign tourists and 932 Sri Lankan tourists. As per the records held by the Coast Guard, tourists from 93 countries visited Mirissa for whale-watching in January.

Whale-watching figures for January - countrywise: Chinese - 3,950, French- 3,778, German- 31,271, Indian - 3,216, Russian- 31,520, Swedish - 3,837, British - 31,263.

With the involvement of Sri Lanka Coast Guard in monitoring whale-watching activities from September 2013, primary consideration has been given to the safety aspects of personnel taking passage on board. In addition, the Coast Guard has deployed two vessels to monitor activities at sea and to assist boat operators during an emergency.

The Coast Guard has conducted number of programs to educate boat operators on safety and assisted in formulating a self-regulated code of conduct to make the whale-watching industry a sustainable one. The Coast Guard has deployed two Inshore patrol Craft to monitor activities, specially to ensure 'Best practices of whale watching' guidelines and also two emergency evacuation boats to ensure maximum protection for the tourists.

Twenty seven local boat operators and their crew were trained on life saving and first aid techniques by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Life Saving instructors at their training centre in Mirissa.

The role played by the Coast Guard personnel has been praised by many local and foreign tourists who visited Mirissa fishery harbour for whale-watching. A couple of years ago, some raised concern over the conduct of local boat operators engaged in whale-watching and labelled it 'whale chasing'. Today, with the presence of Coast Guard personnel to ensure that operators and tourists adhere to the regulations in place, the situation has changed. The best testimony for boat operators and the monitoring role played by the Coast Guard came from a foreigner who had an unforgettable time watching the giant blue whales.

According to comments posted by Ms. Alyson on 'worldtravelfamily.com', of her experience in November 2013, the whale-watching experience was friendly as the boat operators were adhering to rules and regulations such as maintaining the distance from the whale, which is important in enjoying whale-watching, without disturbing its natural environment.

She said the Coast Guard boat acted promptly when a boat with an outboard motor almost injured a whale. The Coast Guard personnel later warned the operator and ensured that the correct distance was maintained and rules adhered to.

This gives a good message to boat operators and tourists around the world of the whale-watching standards in Mirissa. The role played by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard in ensuring that operators and the tourists follow rules and regulations and on the scene monitoring by Coast Guard craft are key factors in making Mirissa the best whale-watching destination in the world.