WHALE WATCHER
Outlook
Since 1955, when Chuck Chamberlin led the very first commercial whale-watching trip in his fishing boat, the industry has continued to expand and shows no sign of stopping. With ecotourism in general becoming more and more popular, whale-watching employment prospects seem very bright. Just be sure that you choose a reputable operator that will not take advantage of you, harm or endanger the whales, or put the safety of its guests at risk. You will not get rich as a whale-watching guide; you will most likely draw a modest salary or hourly wage, and some operators encourage tipping. If you save your money, you may someday be able to buy your own boat or fleet of boats and launch your own whale-watching operation.
Fun Facts About Whales
- Most large whales travel in small schools (called pods), but some swim in pairs or even alone. Whales are most often observed in open ocean during their migration from feeding to breeding grounds, a voyage of several thousands of miles.
- Watching whales as they migrate is a fascinating experience. Each winter, California gray whales travel down the Pacific coast from their summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean to Mexico's Baja Peninsula, where they breed and give birth. It is the longest mammal migration on Earth—12,000 miles round trip each year!
- On your whale watches, you may observe the whales eating. A blue whale eats a lot of krill, or plankton—up to the equivalent of a fully grown African elephant every day.
Additional topics
Job Descriptions and Careers, Career and Job Opportunities, Career Search, and Career Choices and ProfilesCool Careers Without CollegeWHALE WATCHER - Description, Education/training, The History Of Whale Watching, Outlook, Fun Facts About Whales