Interaction of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) (Cetacea, Delphinidae) with boats at the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Dolphin watching in Fernando de Noronha is one of the most attractive activities for those who are visiting the Archipelago. Due to of a new pattern in area of occupancy of the spinner dolphins in the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha and an increasing occupation at the region of Santo Antonio Bay and Entre Ilhas area, this research aims to describe the interaction between dolphins and the nautical tourism of that region. Recently the principal meeting area between spinner dolphins and vessels is the Entre Ilhas area and the nautical tourism in Fernando de Noronha is an impact agent on this population. The spinner dolphins use the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha to rest, mate and take care of the calves, making the animals susceptible to impacts caused by the passing by of tourism vessels in places where the dolphins gather; this may compromise behavioral patterns and species occurrence.