GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH FIRST EVER SPERM WHALE RESERVE
As Government continues with its thrust to build the first climate-resilient country in the world with a holistic approach targeting all sectors of the economy, the Government, in collaboration with National Geographic – Pristine Seas, has announced the establishment of a Sperm Whale Reserve.
This announcement comes as the Government is putting the necessary initiatives and programmes in place to maximize the earnings of the blue economy.
The announcement came at a press conference held on Monday, November 13, at the State House Conference Center.
The Sperm Whale Reserve will be on the west coast of Dominica. It will expand over approximately seven hundred and eight-eight square kilometres and run north to south of Dominica.
CEO of CREAD, Her Excellency Francine Baron, says this reserve forms part of a resilient framework developed by the Government as part of the goal to build a climate-resilient nation.
“We have developed a resilient framework that includes not only ensuring the resilience of our institutional system, physical structures and economy but also importantly speaks to the resilience of our eco-system such as increasing our healthy coral reef coverage, expansion of our protected forest areas and sustainable agricultural practices. While we have sought to make ourselves more resilient and improve the lives of our people, we are also cognizant of our responsibility to protect the habitat and lives of the animals that inhabit both our land and marine space,” she stated.
Ambassador Baron says the Government is pleased to partner with National Geographic further to strengthen the protection of the sperm whale population.
“We are very fortunate to have over fifty families of sperm whales who choose Dominica’s waters as their home. We have lived in harmony with the whales for several decades and consider them part of us, and they have also formed an important component of our tourism product. In our thrust to approach resilience holistically, we recognise the need also to ensure the resilience of our marine ecosystems and, in particular, to ensure the protection of the majestic sperm whales. We have been pleased to partner with National Geographic – Pristine Seas, Dynamic Planet and the Dominica Sperm Whale Project in examining ways in which we can strengthen the protection of our whales,” Ambassador Baron noted.
Founder of National Geographic Explorer in Residence and Pristine Seas, Dr Enric Sala, says he was impressed with the resilience plan of the Government of Dominica to safeguard the ecosystem.
“We were very impressed with Dominica’s plan and strategy for climate resilience and its aim to be the first climate resilient nation in the world. We know that sperm whales are part of the climate resilience machine of Dominica because they help to sequester carbon in the deep ocean. So, there is a need to restore the population because the more whales there are, the more carbon sequestration they can help, which contributes to the climate resilience of Dominica. Also, this is one of the few places in the world where you can see and swim with sperm whales reliably throughout most of the year, so Dominica also has an opportunity to develop a world-class operation that, with a lower volume of people, brings revenue that will help offset the cause so that eventually the reserve will pay for itself, the whales can pay for themselves,” Dr Sala explained.
Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, Hon. Roland Royer, says this Sperm Whale Reserve aligns with the Government’s development agenda.
“As such, a critical component of our National Economic Development Agenda includes the holistic development of the sustainable ocean-based economy, what we refer to as the blue economy. By promoting the sustainable use of our marine resources, particularly its unique ecosystem and rich biodiversity, we will position Dominica as a country known for adopting healthy lifestyles in harmony with nature, promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns and building resilience that reduces disaster risks and adapts to or mitigate climate change impacts. In the 2023/2024 annual budget address, the Government gave a firm commitment to establish the blue economy and to introduce appropriate legislation to govern national frameworks for the regenerative development of our marine resources,” Minister Royer stated.
He noted that this Sperm Whale Reserve was first announced in the 2023/2024 annual budget address as part of the Government’s plan to develop the blue economy.
“And I quote from the address ‘establishment of the first sperm whale reserve for sperm whale protection and a well-managed sustainable operation with a low carbon footprint and high economic benefits in whale watching, water sports such as diving and recreational fishing, marine research and education, marine and coastal resources conservation, mariculture, photography and film.’ close quote,” the Blue Economy Minister noted.
The Minister then declared the Government’s commitment to establishing the first Sperm Whale Reserve in the world.
“It is within this context that I present on behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica this declaration of our firm commitment to the establishment of a sanctuary for the protection of our resident sperm whale population in Dominica, the Dominica Sperm Whale Reserve; the first in the world. The Dominica Sperm Whale Reserve shall become the first marine protected area designed specifically to preserve the sperm whales marine habitat, critical for them to thrive in this pristine environment along the west coast of Dominica. By creating a haven for our sperm whale families, we are not only helping them and the ocean, but we are also contributing directly to improving and sustaining life below water, protecting our local economy and the benefits that extend to our local fishers, tour operators and the people around the world while building resilience to the impacts of climate change,” Minister Royer added.
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