Mediterranean Sea: Sustainable Whale Watching Among Italy’s SDG Commitments and the Role of Scientific Research

In the heart of the Mediterranean, where ancient maritime routes intersect with cetacean migration corridors, a crucial challenge unfolds: the sustainability of the sea. On the occasion of the International Day of the Mediterranean, we reflect on the importance of protecting this unique and fragile ecosystem.

This year, the observance takes on even greater significance with the announcement that the High Quality Whale Watching® (HQWW®) label has been selected by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) as one of Italy's voluntary commitments toward the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water, within the framework of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.

This recognition is far from symbolic. HQWW® is a concrete model of responsible marine tourism, developed through the collaboration between ACCOBAMS and the Pelagos Agreement. In Italy, the label is implemented by CIMA Research Foundation, which leads training and certification activities. The project combines scientific research, capacity building, and sustainability, with the goal of protecting cetaceans and promoting respectful whale watching practices.

A label for sustainable marine tourism

Whale watching is a growing tourism activity, offering the opportunity to observe cetaceans in their natural habitat. However, when conducted without proper regulations, it may become a threat to marine species. To address this, in 2014 ACCOBAMS and the Pelagos Agreement introduced the High Quality Whale Watching® label, aimed at promoting eco-responsible whale watching practices.

France began issuing the label in 2014. In 2019, CIMA Research Foundation was mandated to manage and award the label in Italy, within the framework of the EcoSTRIM project, funded by the Interreg Italy-France Maritime Programme. Since then, the Foundation has delivered six training courses, involving 144 participants-staff members from whale watching operators already active in the field. The courses are designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out the activity in a sustainable way.

"HQWW® is not just a label; it's a tangible commitment to the protection of cetaceans and the promotion of responsible tourism," explains Aurélie Moulins, researcher at CIMA Research Foundation. "The inclusion of HQWW® among Italy's voluntary commitments to SDG 14 - Life Below Water highlights the importance of integrating sustainability into the economic activities connected to the sea. The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with our Foundation, is committed to promoting the HQWW® label nationally as a meaningful tool for sustainable economic practices."

This initiative exemplifies how collaboration between institutions, scientific research, and private sector stakeholders can contribute to the protection of marine ecosystems and the advancement of responsible tourism.

Between science and conservation: CIMA Research Foundation's role in the Mediterranean

Beyond the implementation of HQWW®, CIMA Research Foundation collaborates with ACCOBAMS as a technical-scientific partner on joint initiatives and is actively involved in the Scientific and Technical Committee of the Pelagos Agreement, contributing scientific input for the development of guidelines, management plans, and conservation recommendations for cetaceans in the Mediterranean.

Paola Tepsich, Head of the Marine Ecosystems Unit at CIMA Research Foundation, is a member of the Italian delegation to the Scientific and Technical Committee of the Pelagos Agreement, which meets periodically to establish priorities for the Agreement's work programme. CIMA Research Foundation also contributes to the organisation of technical workshops, the drafting of strategic documents such as the Cuvier's beaked whale Conservation Management Plan, and the promotion of dialogue between scientists and decision makers.

"Our participation in the scientific committee and working groups allows us to bring field-based experience into strategic decision-making for cetacean conservation. It creates a bridge between applied science and shared international conservation policies," says Paola Tepsich.

This synergy between scientific research, multi-level governance, and cross-border cooperation is essential to addressing the complex challenges of marine conservation in the Mediterranean in an integrated way.