35- Why whale watching isn't always ethical & dolphins research w/ Joana Castro, AIMM

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of dolphins, whales, and what it really means to observe marine life responsibly. Guest Joana Castro is marine biologist and founder of AIMM – Marine Environment Research Association. She has spent over two decades researching cetaceans (whales and dolphins) along the coast of Portugal and beyond.

We often think of dolphin and whale watching as harmless, even educational, but Joana reveals why that’s not always the case. From noise pollution to chemical contamination, and from plastic to tourism overload, this conversation sheds light on how human presence, even well-meaning tourists, can deeply affect marine mammals.

She also shares the inspiring story of how seeing dolphins as a child shaped her career, what AIMM is doing to bridge research and conservation, and how tourists like you can spot red flags and make better choices.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Why whale and dolphin watching isn’t always ethical
• The science behind dolphin and whale sensitivity to noise
• Different types of pollution (noise, chemical, plastic) and their impact
• Red flags to watch for when booking wildlife tours
• How AIMM collects data, and why it matters for conservation
• The complex role of marine parks: harm, hope, and potential
• How to identify a responsible tour operator as a traveler
• What keeps Joana motivated after 20+ years in the field

Whether you're passionate about marine life or simply planning a trip involving the ocean, this episode offers real insight, clear solutions, and powerful motivation.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms
🔗 More about AIMM: https://www.aimmportugal.org

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro & Joana’s first encounter with dolphins
• 3:23 History of dolphin watching in Portugal
• 5:29 Impact of humans & pollution on dolphins
• 11:45 Whale watching & red flags
• 21:05 How to identify an ecological operator
• 27:22 Marine research vs. tourism
• 34:20 Marine parks: the debate and how collaboration can help
• 39:25 How to stay motivated in marine conservation efforts & outro