11 Apr 2005

Bid to introduce code of practice for humpback whale watching in French Polynesia

6:46 am on 11 April 2005

Marine scientists have held meetings with government officials in French Polynesia in a bid to bring in a code of practice for watching humpback whales.

The Humpback Whale Association representatives say people in the territory would learn a great deal through the introduction of regulations.

They're concerned that tourists are being taken whale-watching on Rurutu on the Austral Islands, but there's not yet been any assessment of its possible impact on the whales.

The association is also pushing to open a museum dedicated to the migration of humpback whales through the territory.