Ecovolunteer nature travel : help in research on cetacean interactions with humans in Spain. Wale watching - the observation of whales and dolphins in their natural environment - is nowadays promoted as an important means of increasing the environmental awareness of the public. The encounter of cetaceans and humans, which leave virtually nobody unimpressed, can be of advantage for both sides - if it happens within a context of awareness and ecological sustainability. In the Canary Islands (NE Atlantic Ocean), the team of M.E.E.R. La Gomera has conducted research on human-cetacean interactions since 1995. This research aims to improve the knowledge of different cetacean species' ecology, behaviour and their responsiveness to whale watching boats. Research is done from a small whale watching boat during regular whale watching trips. Methods include behavioural sampling, photo-identification and, on occasion, acoustic recordings via a hydrophone. Through the combination of whale watching-tourism, science and public work, M.E.E.R. LA GOMERA throws a bridge between economy and ecology and thus contributes to an ecological way that whale watching can be conducted for the benefit of both humans and cetaceans. pilot whales, dolphins, la gomera, canary islands, spain, ecovolunteer, nature travel