Weizhou Island unveils guide to regulate whale-watching activities

Weizhou Island of Beihai city releases a guide to regulate whale-watching behavior. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Weizhou Island of Beihai city, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, recently released a guide to regulate whale-watching behavior. The guide establishes four whale-watching methods in line with global regulations: aerial, shore-based, vessel-based, and underwater. With the surge in tourist numbers, unregulated whale-watching activities could potentially disturb Bryde's whales. To address these challenges, the local government has organized and implemented a series of conservation measures.

Weizhou Island of Beihai city releases a guide to regulate whale-watching behavior. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In 2018, the appearance of Bryde's whales in the waters near Weizhou Island drew widespread attention. This marked the first discovery of a large whale group inhabiting coastal waters along the Chinese mainland.

Weizhou Island of Beihai city releases a guide to regulate whale-watching behavior. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]