A professor at the University of Northern British Columbia has released a book detailing the many side effects brought to both northern and southern polar regions by cruise tourists. UNBC Outdoor Tourism and Recreation Management Professor Patrick Maher’s co-authored book “Cruise Tourism in Polar Regions,” is the first-ever text to provide in-depth coverage of the Arctic cruise tourism phenomenon, which is timely as the Northwest Passage opens up due to global warming.

“We started by trying to answer the question ‘Can cruise tourism ever be sustainable?’” says Dr. Maher. “The jury is still out, but there are a number of aspects that we now know are impeding sustainability.”

Dr. Maher says the industry has entered a mature phase with an increasing number and variety of ships, more demanding routes, and more regular and predictable patterns of activity. Some of the negative impacts he notes include the possibility of fuel spills and other disturbances when ships run aground or sink,  the disruption of  fragile ecosystems on the land and in the sea, disturbance to wildlife, and issues of crime, and cultural conflict.

“There are local communities to keep in mind,” says Dr. Maher. “Imagine: a boat carrying 300 passengers pulls up to visit a community also composed of around 300 people. Obviously that is going to be more than a little disruptive.”

Dr. Maher also indicates ways Arctic cruises could be improved and made more sustainable such as through the use of sailing vessels rather than diesel-powered ships.