Between tourism and animal welfare – which path will Timor Leste take?

Das Verhalten von Booten und das Schwimmen mit Walen in Osttimor generell hat in den letzten Wochen einiges an Kritik hervorgerufen und wurde in Artikeln wie demjenigen von Robin Hicks in Mongabay zusammengefasst: https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/unregulated-tourism-risks-disrupting-timor-lestes-whale-migration/

Viele der Kritikpunkte sind auch berechtigt, wobei einiges unserer Meinung nach auch schlimmer dargestellt wird als es in Wirklichkeit ist. Man kann durch die aktuelle Berichterstattung den Eindruck bekommen, dass Tiere permanent bedrängt würden, was nicht der Fall ist. Auch werden die finanziellen Verhältnisse so dargestellt, als würden nicht viele Timoresen vom den Touristen profitieren. Dass aber auch viele Hotels, Restaurants und Transportunternehmen von den Touren profitieren, wird nicht erwähnt.

Nichtsdestotrotz ist es gut & wichtig, dass jetzt vor allem die Missstände auf dem Meer angeprangert werden. Noch vor 10 Jahren hatte kaum jemand Osttimor auf dem Radar für Walbeobachtung. Sogar noch 2019 waren nur sehr wenige Boote unterwegs und Gruppentouren gab es noch praktisch keine. Aber im Zeitalter von Instagram bleiben solche Geheimnisse nicht mehr lange verborgen. Waren 2024 noch 6-7 Boote unterwegs, waren es 2025 schon um deren 10. Trotzdem ist das Whale-Watching in Osttimor noch in den Kinderschuhen und wir haben jetzt die grandiose Möglichkeit, verbindliche Regeln aufzustellen und Leute richtig zu trainieren, damit Osttimor ein Vorzeigemodell des Waltourismus werden kann. Niemand will Zustände wie z.B. in Mauritius und wir müssen solche Entwicklungen unbedingt verhindern.

At Moby Wildlife Tours, we will try to take a leading role in this regard and propose various rules and ideas that should enable a pleasant experience for everyone involved (animals and guests):

Properly trained captains: Hardly any captains or skippers in Timor Leste are properly trained in how to behave around marine mammals. This applies not only to local Timorese skippers, but also to foreign ones. In the coming years, we will bring professional whale watching captains to Timor and we will be happy to pass on our knowledge to anyone who is willing to listen. To this end, we want to train local Timorese skippers.

Only 3 boats around a group of whales: Today, there are sometimes 6 or more boats around a group of whales. We want to limit this to 3 boats. Additional boats may join, but must wait at a distance of at least 500 meters. As soon as one of the three boats leaves, another boat can take its place. If necessary, a time limit of approximately 1-2 hours per boat can also be introduced.

Do not accelerate to get ahead of the whales: Boats often accelerate because they are at the same level or even behind the whales when they come to the surface. We want to put a stop to this behavior. If you are not in a good position when the animal comes to the surface, simply enjoy the spectacle where you are. However, if you are 150 meters in front of the animal, you are in a good position to let your guests into the water. Turn off the engine, let your guests slowly enter the water, and let the animals come to you.

Collegial behavior: It is more pleasant for all skippers and guests when everyone behaves respectfully and considerately. This includes giving other boats right of way, waiting for your turn, and taking turns letting guests slide into the water.

Workshops: We plan to hold a workshop before the season to present the above points. Of course, we cannot force anyone to participate, but we still hope that the other organizers will listen to us.

The role of the government: It would be very helpful if the government took the initiative and introduced binding regulations. Rules and, for example, the presence of a police boat would greatly defuse the situation and significantly reduce the aggressiveness of some boats.

The sea around Timor Leste is truly a unique region of our planet. Deep blue water, breathtaking coral reefs, home to sperm whales, various species of dolphins, and, especially in October and November, the best place in the world to see migrating blue whales. Let's make sure it stays that way. Because if conditions continue to deteriorate as they have in Mauritius, swimming with whales should also be completely banned. And whether anyone would then still be willing to travel halfway around the world to Dili is more than doubtful.