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.

Two boats with whale-watchers awaiting 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.

Tourists boarding the boats. |
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. |