Tonga has potential as Whale Heritage Site [1]
Tuesday, August 25, 2015 - 14:56
Tonga has been included in the first destinations to be analyzed with the potential to become Whale Heritage Sites.
The new initiative launched by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), the Whale Hertiage Sites to recognize world destinations that champions responsible whale and dolphin watching and celebrate the importance of the cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) living in the waters around them.
The first destinations are Azores, Portugal; Silver Bank, Dominican Republic; El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, Mexico; Hervey Bay, Australia; Iceland; Kaikoura, New Zealand; Massachusetts, USA; Outer Barrier Reef, Australia; Washington State/British Columba (USA/Canada); Peninsula Valdez, Argentina; South Africa and Tonga.
Travel Tour World Tourism News reported that the new initiative represents a new approach to whale conservation, focusing on the destination rather than just specific operators and aims to be used to show that just as responsible whale watching is better for the whales, so they also help the destination as they encourage tourism and boost revenues.
WCA Secretariat Dylan Walker said the best possible way to protect ocean wildlife is to encourage people to see it for themselevs in a responsible way.
"If through Whale Heritage Sites, those same people can also experience coastal communities that celebrate and care for their marine natural heritage and understand the importance of sustainable approach, we may yet win the battle to save our oceans"
The first Whale Heritage Sites Summit will be held in October this year in Azores Islands.
WCA is the world’s largest partnership that works to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises consisting of 70 partners in 23 countries worldwide.