ECOLOGICAL TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

We are conscious of the beauty and fragility of the ecosystems of our coasts. This is why we strive to conduct our tours in an ecologically friendly manner. We are also actively involved in researching ways that we can provide greater protections to the natural environment and that will help to mitigate the impact that mankind has on the marine life and littoral region. One of the innovations has been the installation of a protective housing around the propeller of our ship MITCH.

MITCH, the ideal ship for sightings, is a ship that brings together because of its unique design, three very special characteristics: SAFETY, COMFORT AND MAXIMUM APPROXIMATION TO THE CETACEANS WITH A MINIMUN LEVEL OF DISTURBANCE.

MITCH offers you:

1. Maximum Security in the sea, it is fully equipped with the most advanced technology for passenger safety.
2. Professional crew and passengers' insurance.
3. Exclusive and ecological excursions in a familiar environment, taking part in research on mammals and projects to increase environmental protection.
4. We work with small groups, between 30 and 40 people although the ship is authorized for 50 passengers, to respect cetaceans and to offer a high quality sighting.
5. Our ship is specially designed for approaching cetaceans. Passengers can enjoy the presence of dolphins and whales that constantly surround the boat.
6. Our ship is equipped with ecological devices to protect the marine environment:
protected propellers to minimize disturbance to the marine fauna and acoustic protection as the engine noise may interfere with their acoustic communication.

CETACEANS CANNOT BE DISTURBED BY THE PROPELLER. It is demonstrated that ship propellers may damage and even cause the death of cetaceans, tortoises and other species. For this reason, we have installed in our ship "Mitch" a protection system with bars of stainless steel that covers the propeller so it cannot cause any damage to the marine fauna. Currently, we are the only company in the region that is using such a device on their whale watching boats although we are hopeful that in the not too distant future the other tourist ships will have this simple device installed.

DOLPHINS ARE NOT DISTURBED BY THE NOISE OF THE ENGINE

To minimize the impact of the acoustic pollution of the engine noise, we have converted the boat "Mitch" into a silent ship. We have installed on the engine a special box made of stainless steel with internal chambers full of water, connected to the exhaust system. The engine compartment has been soundproofed using thick layers of special material. It is so silent that the soft engine vibrations will be the only way of knowing that it is running.

EMPHASIS ON MARINE ENVIROMENT AND ITS PROTECTION

In Aventura Marina we take data during the tours to research on cetaceans habitat, and on the groups of whales and dolphins that live or travel along the strait. We collaborate with biologists and non-governmental organizations in their research to understand more about these mammals, to know the reasons of their mass deaths and, in the future, to be able to help guarantee their protection.
Among other objectives, we take pictures of the specimens and groups of cetaceans we find in our sightings in order to identify them and to know about their movements. We exchange information with other researchers employed in areas of The Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean.

WE COLLABORATE IN THE PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

We use all our means and experience to organize courses about fauna and aquatic ecosystem coordinated by school centers, universities, environmental groups, biologists, etc. We also prepare educational excursions for students, all levels, after an informative session with audio-visual explanations. We believe that it is important to know the marine ecology, to value, respect and to take care of it.