University of the Sunshine Coast researchers are back on the water this whale migration season to answer the question: how do people feel when they hear humpback whales vocalise?
UniSC’s Dr Vikki Schaffer, a sustainable tourism expert, is leading the humpback whale tourism research on board Sunreef vessels off Mooloolaba until the whale-watching season finishes in September.
The team is conducting experiments with natural sound, pre-recorded sound and sound detected by a hydrophone.
"Tourism is visual but our other senses contribute to connecting us to places and spaces and species; to creating memorable and meaningful experiences" - Dr Schaffer
“We want to understand the impact of whale vocalisations on the visitor experience,” Dr Schaffer said.
“Tourism is visual but our other senses contribute to connecting us to places and spaces and species; to creating memorable and meaningful experiences.
“The conservation of marine environments includes the importance of sound as a natural resource that must be protected.
“These studies seek to explore the impact of sound, specifically the marine soundscape and humpback whale vocalisations, on visitor engagement, emotional responses, experiences of awe and wonder, and influence on pro-environmental intent.”
She said whale-watching and swim-with-whales tour visitors were invited to focus on the soundscape and share their experiences via an online survey.
"Emotionally, participants said the sounds made them feel happy, excited, very humble, in awe and calm" - Dr Schaffer
While data collected in 2022, 2023 and 2024 would be analysed for findings later this year, preliminary results were fascinating.
“So far, results indicate that listening to the soundscape was engaging; stimulated them to reflect on new ideas about whales and the marine environment; and made them feel emotionally connected with the environment,” Dr Schaffer said.
The soundscape included other behaviours such as fluke and pectoral fin slaps, blows, and splashes as the whales breached.
“Emotionally, participants said the sounds made them feel happy, excited, very humble, in awe and calm.”
Dr Schaffer said thousands of people went whale-watching along Queensland’s coastline each winter in a domestic and international tourism industry with enormous flow-on economic benefits.
“We urge all vessel operators in our waters to adhere to Australian Government regulations regarding appropriate behaviour and distances when whales and dolphins are detected,” she said.
"Immersive tourism is all about capturing the imagination and igniting the senses to create a powerful and meaningful experience for guests and raise awareness of the marine environment" - John Fell of Sunreef
Sunreef manager John Fell said Dr Schaffer’s ongoing UniSC research had become integral to the company over the past 20 years.
“Immersive tourism is all about capturing the imagination and igniting the senses to create a powerful and meaningful experience for guests and raise awareness of the marine environment,” he said.
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