There is a moment, at sea, when everything seems to pause. The engine is switched off, voices fade, and attention turns entirely to the water. Then, suddenly, a blow breaks the surface, just a few seconds that require awareness, distance, and respect. It is within this fragile balance between human presence and marine life that the quality of whale watching is defined.
From this awareness stems the High Quality Whale Watching® (HQWW®) programme, which over time has contributed to shaping an increasingly structured and shared approach to cetacean observation, grounded in scientific knowledge, training, and responsibility.
The label and the commitment to marine conservation
Established through collaboration with ACCOBAMS and the Pelagos Agreement and implemented in Italy by CIMA Research Foundation, which coordinates certification and training activities, the HQWW® label identifies operators who voluntarily adopt whale watching practices based on scientific protocols and a code of conduct. A system that integrates conservation, quality of experience, and the reduction of impacts on animals and ecosystems.
This commitment has also been recognised at the institutional level: the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) has included the programme’s activities among Italy’s voluntary commitments to Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water, within the framework of the UN Ocean Conference 2025. A recognition that reinforces the value of a pathway aimed at protecting cetaceans, promoting sustainable practices, and training new generations.
This pathway is built on the creation of a network: the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, which took part in the second training course, highlighted the crucial role of collaboration among tourism operators, public authorities, and administrative and technical bodies in strengthening the sustainability of outdoor activities. It also emphasised the strategic importance of marine ecosystem monitoring, which is essential for identifying solutions to improve environmental conditions and support the establishment of new protected areas.
The 2026 training courses: capacity building and community growth
In 2026, the training programme was delivered through two courses held in different coastal contexts, both characterised by a strong connection between research, conservation, and local activities.
“This programme provides a space where different experiences come together and are translated into shared practices. The goal is to equip operators with practical tools so that every activity at sea can be managed with greater awareness, in full respect of animals and the environment,” said Lara Polo, trainer at CIMA Research Foundation.
The first course of the year took place at the Castle of Riomaggiore, within the Cinque Terre National Park, involving 25 participants from 7 operators, including 2 new entrants. The second course was held at Casa Gioiosa, in the Porto Conte Park in Alghero, with 11 operators involved, including 4 new participants.
These figures reflect a growing community that continues to expand and strengthen through training, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of common standards. In this context, certified operators also contribute to the collection of sighting data, supporting cetacean monitoring and scientific knowledge production.
“The quality of whale watching does not depend only on what is observed, but on how it is observed. Training is essential to build the skills needed to reduce impacts on species while turning each trip at sea into an opportunity for knowledge. In this sense, operators become an active part of a system that brings together conservation and research,” explained Aurélie Moulins, researcher at CIMA Research Foundation.
A pathway that contributes to strengthening an integrated approach to marine management, where conservation, economic activities, and scientific knowledge are closely interconnected.
