Sightings of humpback whales near Rio de Janeiro have surged significantly as the species continues to recover from the effects of commercial whaling, leading to increased demand for whale-watching tours along the city’s coast. Experts attribute this rebound to conservation efforts following a decades-long whaling moratorium.
The population of humpback whales in the region has risen dramatically, from an estimated 2,000 individuals about 40 years ago to approximately 35,000 today, nearing pre-whaling numbers, according to Enrico Marcovaldi, co-founder of the Humpback Whale Project. This increase has resulted in more frequent sightings within Guanabara Bay, a well-known natural landmark in Rio.
“It’s wonderful. It shows that the whales are making a recovery, are healthy and thriving, and hopefully they’ll continue to do so,” Marcovaldi said.
The International Whaling Commission imposed a global pause on commercial whaling of all whale species beginning with the 1985–1986 season, a move credited with helping the humpback population rebound.
Tourism operators are adapting to this ecological resurgence. The Rio Ocean Club, operated by Louise Raulais and her partner Theo Andrade, recently launched sailboat excursions designed to provide intimate opportunities to observe the whales. These trips, accommodating groups of five to ten people, include onboard biologists to offer scientific insights aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation for marine conservation.
“These animals are so iconic and charismatic that they have the power to transform people, to change the way they see the world,” Raulais noted.
Humpback whales are migratory mammals known for extensive oceanic journeys following routes passed down maternally. They feed on krill and small fish in colder, nutrient-rich waters during warmer months and migrate to tropical areas during winter months to breed and give birth.
Each year from June through November, thousands of humpbacks travel roughly 2,500 miles from the Southern Ocean feeding grounds to breeding sites along Brazil’s northeastern coast. Many also concentrate near the Abrolhos Bank, a coral reef system off Bahia and Espírito Santo, recognized as one of the South Atlantic’s richest marine ecosystems.
The Humpback Whale Project launched a scientific expedition from June 26 to July 9 to study humpback behavior, population dynamics, and health, as well as to better understand their travel routes and key aggregation points off Rio de Janeiro.
“They’re exploring this area,” said Pedro Fróes, a biologist involved in the research. “They want to find out whether, in the future, it could become a place for them to rest, to mate, or to give birth to a calf.”
The findings from this study could inform future conservation strategies to support the species’ continued recovery and the sustainable development of whale-related tourism in the region.