The Cook Islands ban placed on commercial fishing last month within 50 nautical miles of the nation was highlighted at the Whales in a Changing Ocean conference opening yesterday in Nuku’alofa.

Cook Islands Minister of Environment, Hon Kiriau Turepu stressed that the ban is to reduce the interaction between commercial fishing and whales in their waters.

“We recognise the value and importance that these majestic creatures play in our oceans, environment, economy and more importantly, our culture. We have recorded calving occurring in our waters, which makes these individuals even more special to Cook Island people.”

“The Cook Islands has also declared its entire EEZ [Exclusive economic Zone] as a Marae Moana – Marine Park,” he said during the Ministerial dialogue yesterday.

In addition to this decision, the Cook Islands has an existing commitment to reject any potential future sea bed mineral activity within 50 nautical miles of its islands.

Less interaction between fishing vessels and Humpback Whales would encourage more whales to make its way to the Cook Islands before migrating to Tonga for breeding between June to October each year.

Humpback Whales visiting the Cook Islands have a unique trait that is extremely unusual. Research shows only two of the whales in the last seven years have returned to the Cook Islands and the rest are new visitors. Humpback Whales tend to return to the same area during their lifetime.

“We continue to strengthen our commitment to recognising the value of whales in the Cook Islands, having declared our entire EEZ, an area of almost 2 million square kilometres as a Sanctuary for Whales in 2001,” said Minister Turepu.

Since the declaration 16 years ago, Minister Turepu hopes to further cement the Cook Islands commitment to protecting marine life.

“The Cook Islands are currently on a pathway to develop the necessary legislative framework that will also focus on managing interactions from unlawful take, fisheries and strandings to name a few.”

“It is my hope that the Cook Islands will demonstrate once again its innovation and leadership by making the waters of the Cooks Islands a true sanctuary, a unique place in the South Pacific where whales can thrive in harmony with human activity.”