圖文閱讀:Whale Watching
春暖花開，是觀賞野生海洋動物的最佳季節。驚險刺激、風靡全球的賞鯨之旅便從這個季節開始了。無論是在鯨魚棲息水域靜謐地邂逅，還是一路追蹤逆戟鯨魚躍而起、浪花飛濺的剎那，都將是這一季帶給你的終生難忘的記憶！
Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and other cetaceans in their natural habitat. Whales are watched most commonly for recreation but the activity can also be for scientific or educational reasons. While individuals do organize private trips, whale watching is primarily a commercial activity, estimated to be worth up to $1 billion per annum worldwide to whale watching operations and their local communities. The size and rapid growth of the whale watching industry has led to complex and unconcluded debates with the whaling industry about the best use of whales as a natural resource.
賞鯨是觀察鯨魚或其他海洋生物(如海豚)的自然棲息地即活動，大多數用於休閒，但有些活動也可用於科學研究或教育目的，也是海上生態旅遊的一種。與捕鯨不同之處，是該資源藉由捕鯨僅有一次，捕完就沒了，而賞鯨可由不同人多次欣賞，在不過分干預鯨魚自然活動之前提下，是一個取之不盡、用之不竭的寶貴資源。
Whale watching as an organized activity dates back to 1950 when the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego was declared a public spot for the observation of Gray Whales. In 1955 the first water-based whale watching commenced in the same area, charging customers $1 per trip to view the whales at closer quarters. The spectacle proved popular, attracting 10,000 visitors in its first year and many more in subsequent years. The industry spread throughout the western coast of the United States over the following decade.
