‘Don’t love it to death’—tourism surge impacting Arctic wildlife

The Arctic was once considered one of the most remote and untouched regions on Earth, but that is changing quickly. Greenland recently recorded its best year ever for tourism and more visitors than ever are traveling north in search of dramatic landscapes, glaciers and encounters with Arctic wildlife. Expedition cruises, whale-watching boats and luxury icebreaker tours are bringing economic benefits, but also environmental concerns.

At the Arctic Frontiers Conference, marine biologist Lauren McWhinnie highlighted a growing issue: the impact of increasing vessel traffic on Arctic whales.

Whales and the noise of an industry in overdrive

Three species—beluga whales, narwhals and bowhead whales—are uniquely adapted to Arctic waters, spending their entire lives in these frigid seas. Their survival depends on an environment that allows them to navigate, hunt and communicate effectively.

“Sound is everything to these animals,” McWhinnie said. “They use it to navigate, hunt, and communicate. But when vessel traffic increases, the ocean becomes a far noisier place.”

Studies have shown that noise pollution from Arctic expedition cruise vessels can have serious consequences for marine life. Large ships generate low-frequency sounds that travel for miles underwater, drowning out whale calls and making it harder for them to find food or avoid predators.

The problem is not just the number of ships, but where they are going.

“There’s a real gap in the research,” McWhinnie said. “Some of the highest-traffic areas are where we have the least data.”

Tourism’s unexpected footprint

While tourism can be a powerful tool for raising awareness about conservation, it can also cause damage if left unchecked.

In Juneau, Alaska, residents are already feeling the strain of cruise ship expansion. A recent report described the city as “an amusement park for tourists”, with ships overwhelming the coastline and disrupting both marine and human communities.

Greenland’s tourism boom is creating similar pressures. More vessels are passing through sensitive marine habitats, increasing the likelihood of disturbances to Arctic whale populations. The long-term impact on its fragile marine ecosystems remains uncertain.

To better understand the risks, McWhinnie’s team has launched a five-year project under the Arctic Council’s PAME (Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment) initiative. Using vessel tracking data and direct observations from whale-watching boats, researchers aim to map how, when, and where tourism is affecting Arctic whales.

A race against rising numbers

Arctic tourism continues to expand, driven by climate change, increased accessibility, and growing interest in experiencing the Arctic. McWhinnie’s research aims to provide guidance before irreversible damage is done, but solutions will require action from governments, the tourism industry and travelers.

“The Arctic is changing,” she said. “We have a small window to make sure we don’t love it to death.”