Measures to regulate wildlife photography and viewing

Abstract

Wildlife viewing and photography are activities to be encouraged, both for conservation and economic reasons. The number of people participating in wildlife viewing and photography is increasing, and their economic potential is high. However, wildlife viewing and photography can have negative effects, including disturbing nesting habitats or feeding behaviours. Thus, various entities have facilitated education and introduced codes of ethics or conduct to deter negative actions. These voluntary regulations are beneficial but lack enforceability, which only legal regulations can provide.　Japanese statutes do not contain comprehensive provisions for regulating wildlife viewing and photography. Several statutes give the Minister of the Environment the power to restrict certain wildlife-viewing activities in limited protected areas; however, the administrative rules necessary for the agencies to enforce such restrictions have not yet been developed.　The United States also lacks comprehensive statutes to regulate wildlife viewing and photography, although the Endangered Species Act prohibits the "take" of listed species, which includes "harass" by definition. In the United Kingdom, disturbing nesting birds is prohibited by law, and a licensing system allows photographers to photograph birds in nesting environments. It is necessary to urge Japanese agencies to exercise their legal powers, including promulgation of administrative rules. Furthermore, for the sound development of sustainable wildlife viewing and wildlife tourism, national and local lawmakers must strengthen laws to regulate them, especially in relation to the protection of endangered species and breeding wildlife, as well as the management of protected areas.