Threats to Cetaceans in the Azores

From the beginning of times, and even before we knew about their existence, millions of animals have always cohabited and thrived in our waters. In the Azores, whales and dolphins absolutely love the wild ocean where they can be free. However, our modern times brought change to their natural habitat. Let's see how the human influence impacts the lives of our aquatic friends in their own homes and what we can do about it.

Into the Abyss

Our remote location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, between America and Europe, is a meeting point for many marine mammals who chose the Azores as their home or pass by every year during their migration.

Our dear residents are the sperm whales, the common dolphins, the Risso’s dolphins, and the bottlenose dolphins. Those species are present all year round.

However, all cetacean species suffer from the fast-paced society we live in. If we want to continue to enjoy their presence, we need to act on the several dangers casting shadows on the tranquil waters of the Azores.

Overview of Cetaceans in the Azores

It is particularly important to protect the cetaceans swimming around the Azores because our nine islands are a true heaven for many different species.

In addition to our 4 local species, we are also a spot appreciated by some of the biggest animals in the world – the blue whale, the Sei whale, and the fin whale. Those are a true spectacle to observe.

From time to time, we also have the great pleasure of admiring the acrobatic humpback whales and the intimidating killer whales.

Some species only come for the warm waters during the summertime, like the Atlantic spotted dolphins.

You might have understood by now that coming to the Azores for whale and dolphin watching is quite a great choice! Actually, we are one of the top destinations in Europe to observe cetaceans.

So, what is threatening our sea companions?

Pollution and Climate Change

It is not a secret that our way of life is directly impacting nature, especially marine wildlife. Most of the plastic we consume eventually ends up in the ocean. There are more and more oil spills from big corporations and the ocean in some parts of the world looks like a giant open-air trash can, harming all living beings in and around.

Another problem is noise pollution. Non-stop traffic from big ships, new off-shore constructions, and underwater sonars create a true disturbance for marine wildlife.

Climate change is an issue around the world, and the Azores are no escape for marine mammals. Our climate is shifting, and with it, the currents, the temperatures, and the distribution of food for cetaceans, who need to adapt to this new world. Some species are on their way to extinction, while others will eventually survive in the long run.

Collisions and Vessel Traffic

What used to be a tranquil world beneath the waves has become almost as busy as on land, which impacts directly their lives and behaviors.

Sometimes, newspapers relate cases of collisions between big cargo ships or cruise ships with cetaceans. This is due to the passage of embarkations on the migration routes of some cetaceans, or in places that host many aquatic animals.

Whales and dolphins can get away with a simple mark on their skin, or sometimes even die from this encounter. That is why when we go to the ocean to observe the animals, we always respect a minimum distance to approach them safely and cut the engine when we get close to a whale.

Overfishing and Entanglements

Even in the Azores, in this true hidden gem surrounded by blue, we unfortunately know overfishing practices and bycatch. It is possible to observe whales and dolphins interacting with plastics, or even sometimes animals entangled in nets like turtles or fish for instance.

Fishing nets are some of the deadliest debris left in the ocean. We always try to remove the litter we find in the ocean during our excursions, but sometimes we come too late and find dead animals.

In order to avoid this kind of issue, fishing industries need to take responsibility and engage to more sustainable practices.

Conservation efforts

Safeguarding Seas

In recent decades, we have begun to understand how important it is to preserve our oceans and their inhabitants. The Azores being little pieces of land in the middle of the deep blue Atlantic, our relationship with aquatic nature is quite strong.

Futurismo Azores Adventures is one of the sea advocates in the Azores. We went to educate and help researchers around the world to protect cetaceans and keep them around for a long time.

It is crucial to establish marine protected areas for conservation purposes and to fuel research projects to study the animals’ behaviors, threats, and solutions.

The Importance of Responsible Tourism

When visiting the animals in their natural habitat, we have to remind ourselves that we are their guests and they own the place. They let us visit and it is a true honor. So let’s respect their home.

Responsible whale watching is the solution to a sustainable relationship between the animals and us. By responsible whale watching, we mean to respect the animals by keeping a safe distance and following strict guidelines, not interact with them in any way (we do not feed or call the animals in any way, and we also do not use sonars or other harmful equipment), contribute to ongoing research and conservation projects, and clean when we find litter in the ocean or on land.

You can help in this way too, by choosing Futurismo.

Community Involvement

From beach clean-ups to marine biology conferences, educating children in local schools, or creating meaningful partnerships for nature, Futurismo is ongoingly working on several social projects to change our blue world, one wave at a time.

In addition to taking travelers with us on magical sea tours, it is very important to involve our local community to protect the natural heritage of the Azores.

The Way Forward

There are many challenges to overcome for a prosperous life under the sea. But we are ready to roll up our sleeves and help in any way we can.

Because this is a collective effort and responsibility, we believe that the more people know about these magnificent yet fragile creatures populating our waters, the better it will be for them.

It takes more than a village to protect cetaceans, it takes the entire world. Thanks to the dedication of individuals, communities, and organizations, there is hope and actual progress.

They cannot speak, so we speak for them in the hope that many people listen and take action. It is as easy as avoiding disposable plastic, donating to an environmental organization, or coming on an adventure with us to learn more about cetaceans!

What people think about

more than 2500 reviews

Intense in knowledge transmission. They excel in animal tracking with non-intrusive methods. I had an amazing, unexpected experience. Wonderful. They teach the importance of caring for and respecting our seas and oceans, which is crucial.

Alba Moreno Ruiz, Spain

Exciting excursion, friendly and knowledgeable staff, not too crowded catamaran. We saw two different species of dolphins and a sperm whale with its calf. Thanks for the wonderful experience!

Donatella Fracassi, Italy

A magical moment! We were able to easily see and interact with the dolphins. There was only our boat with 8 swimmers in total, making it even more enjoyable – a special time with the dolphins. Very clear explanations and a guide who listened and was very pleasant. We will be back 👍

Manuel Fernandez, France

During our vacation, we enjoyed both stand-up paddle and kayaking, resulting in an unforgettable experience. The staff were all incredibly friendly. They recommended restaurants after the activity with a personal touch. 100% recommended.

Andrea Jaramillo Lopez, Spain

An outstanding experience. The marine biologist and the driver were both incredibly passionate. We saw 2 dolphins and 2 sperm whales that dived. An unforgettable memory under perfect weather. Thank you for all these unforgettable moments.

Magali Loriot, France

It’s impressive that we haven’t found anybody during our walking tour. It was amazing the communion with nature. It feels that nature is still untouched.

Sievers, Poland

Whale Watching Azores Essentials

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