The Town Officer of Neiafu, Vava’u in Tonga, has issued a safety warning about the condition of certain boats ahead of the upcoming whale-watching season.
The concern follows recent complaints about the excessive number of licenses leading to oversaturation in the whale watching business.
Neiafu Town Officer Vavā Lapota said rigorous safety checks were needed to prevent accidents that could endanger lives, particularly those involving boats recently imported from overseas by Asian operators.
He called for immediate inspections of what he had described as serious hull and boarding ladder damage before the season begins in full swing.
“We are looking forward to the upcoming whale watching season, but some boats were only recently brought in from overseas. It has been alleged that there are issues with these boats’ keels,” the Town Officer alleged.
“Ensuring the safety of the boats is crucial, as any accidents could result in loss of life.”
Vava’u’s waters are a prime destination for humpback whale migrations, making whale watching a key economic driver.
For years, stakeholders have called for stricter regulations and fewer licenses to ensure sustainable practices, yet the problem persists.
Past incidents involving unsafe vessels have prompted calls for stricter enforcement of maritime safety standards.
Complaints have also arisen about tourists disregarding guidelines when interacting with whales.
Reports claimed a decline in whale arrivals began in 2017 and worsened until showing signs of recovery only after the COVID-19 hiatus.
This three-year break highlighted the industry’s fragility and the need for better management, the reports said.
The reports also alleged that despite repeated warnings from the Ministry of Tourism about oversaturation, successive Ministers have continued issuing additional licenses, ignoring established whale-watching regulations, undermining industry sustainability, and disregarding the investments of existing operators.
The Ministry of Tourism and the owners of the boats could not be reached for comment.
