Mauritius Cracks Down on Dolphin and Whale Watching Abuses at Sea

Mauritius is tightening its grip on dolphin and whale watching activities after years of reported abuses at sea. On Friday 9 October 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a package of emergency measures proposed by the Ministry of Tourism to better regulate cetacean watching and dolphin swimming excursions in Mauritian waters. **A Dedicated Enforcement Squad at Sea** At the heart of the new measures is the creation of an "Enforcement Squad" operating directly under the Tourism Authority — the government body responsible for licensing and regulating tourism operators in Mauritius. This dedicated unit will be deployed on the water to conduct inspections of boats, ensure the safety of both tourists and operators, and protect dolphins, whales, and the broader marine biodiversity of the island. The squad represents a significant escalation in enforcement. Until now, regulation of dolphin watching trips — a hugely popular activity particularly off the west coast of Mauritius near Tamarin and La Preneuse — has been widely criticised as inadequate. Boats have frequently been accused of crowding around dolphin pods, causing stress to the animals and creating safety risks for swimmers. **Awareness Campaign for Skippers and Operators** Alongside on-water patrols, the Ministry of Tourism will launch a nationwide awareness campaign targeting skippers and leisure boat operators. The training sessions will focus on best practices and eco-responsible behaviour during marine excursions — covering how to approach cetaceans safely, minimum distances to maintain, and how to manage groups of swimmers in the water. This educational push reflects recognition that enforcement alone is not enough, and that operators need clearer guidance on what responsible conduct looks like. **Tougher Laws on the Way** To give these measures lasting legal force, the Ministry of Tourism is also preparing amendments to the **Tourism Authority (Dolphin and Whale Watching) Regulations 2012** — the existing legal framework that governs these activities. The amendments are expected to impose stricter requirements on operators, though the specific changes have not yet been disclosed. **What This Means** For tourists, the changes should mean a more regulated and safer experience when booking dolphin swims or whale watching trips. Reputable operators already following the rules should face little disruption. Those who have been cutting corners — overcrowding animals, ignoring safety protocols, or operating without proper oversight — face real consequences for the first time. For Mauritius's marine environment, it is an overdue step. Spinner dolphins in particular, which are resident in Mauritian waters and used daily by dozens of boats, are vulnerable to behavioural disruption from excessive human contact. Sustainable management of these interactions is essential both for the animals and for the long-term viability of eco-tourism on the island. Source: ION News