Whale watching tourism boosts the economy in SC The right whale season in Santa Catarina has already become a tourist event. Cities on the state's coast receive visitors who seek to see these large mammals at sea. Therefore, the arrival of these animals ends up boosting the local economy as well. Commerce and hotel sectors celebrate the arrival of the whales and, with them, tourists. ?Click and follow the g1 SC channel on WhatsApp In Paulo Lopes, in the south of the state, a viewpoint at Praia da Gamboa became a point for whale watching. Tourists stay there, in front of the sea, waiting for these animals. The effects of these visitors are felt in local commerce and hotels. "They bring us financial relief and also the wonder of seeing them practically every day, bringing joy to us and the tourists who come here", declared trader Tânia Abreu Leal. Who also has a business there is Victor Hugo Rodrigues da Silva. He said that, in recent years, movement has increased a lot. "People come from all over. From North to South, from East to West, even internationally. They are always here, wanting to uncover whales through the mysteries of the sea," said Silva. Inns like Sandro Svaldi's also count on the arrival of these animals to boost occupancy. "It is impacting 100% of our accommodation", declared the businessman. Right whale seen from the viewpoint at Praia da Gamboa in Paulo Lopes, SC Reproduction/NSC TV Paulo Lopes' Secretary of Culture, Tourism and Economic Development, Leonara Rodrigues Sebastião, said that the municipality does not yet have a survey on the impact of this type of tourism on the economy, but it is known that the influence is positive. "Although we still do not have official data on the economic movement generated by this flow, we know that it contributes to strengthening nature tourism and benefits several segments linked to tourist activity in the municipality", declared the secretary. She gave the example of a trail that welcomes visitors who want to watch whales. "Guarda do Embaú Beach, which belongs to the territory of Paulo Lopes, can also be accessed via the Dunas and Pedra do Faísca trail, one of the main whale viewing points. Between July and November, the number of visitors who travel this trail to see whales is quite significant." Whales tend to remain for long periods in the coastal strip between Paulo Lopes and Garopaba, especially between Guarda do Embaú and Gamboa, which makes this stretch very popular with tourists and photographers during the season, according to the secretary. VIDEO: Semi-albino right whale calf is spotted next to its mother in SC Whale appears in the sea of SC in a surfing session with Olympic medalist VIDEO: Right whale calf swims next to its mother after the first birth of the season Rare semi-albino right whale calf is spotted next to its mother in SC José Gil Alves de Medeiros/Reproduction Preservation guarantees the arrival of whales in the region The increase in the number of whales returning to the coast of Santa Catarina is the result of decades of conservation. The Gamboa region is part of the Right Whale Environmental Protection Area. The creation of the APA helped to preserve the coves where mothers and cubs find shelter. "We see population growth happening. Today, it is estimated at around 4.8% per year", declared the coordinator of the Australis Institute, Eduardo Renault Braga. Each new whale that is born in Santa Catarina waters contributes to increasing this population. "They will have a calf every three years. So, she spends a year pregnant, she spends a year breastfeeding the cub and a year off", explained the coordinator. Right whales are frequently seen off the coast of Santa Catarina, especially between the months of July and September. According to Karina Groch, research director and biologist at the Australis Institute, it is during this period that the species migrates to warmer tropical waters with the aim of mating and procreating. Right whale Ben Ami Scopinho/Art