- Feb 5, 2002
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Sperm whales are the ocean’s greatest nomads, but one island in the Caribbean is creating a permanent home for them.
A roughly 300 square mile patch of ocean in the territorial waters of Dominica is the only place known on Earth where sperm whales can be seen regularly throughout the year when they arrive to breed, and it’s here that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the island nation has established the world’s first sperm whale reserve.
“The 200 or so sperm whales that call our sea home are prized citizens of Dominica,” Mr. Skerrit said.
“Their ancestors likely inhabited Dominica before humans arrived. We want to ensure these majestic and highly intelligent animals are safe from harm and continue keeping our waters and our climate healthy.”
The marine reserve covers 800 square kilometers for those using metric, an area where commercial shipping and fishing will be forbidden from entering. Large ships can harm sperm whales, but smaller vessels, designated in the law as artisanal fishing, will be permitted inside the reserve provided their methods do not harm the whales.
Continued below.
www.goodnewsnetwork.org
A roughly 300 square mile patch of ocean in the territorial waters of Dominica is the only place known on Earth where sperm whales can be seen regularly throughout the year when they arrive to breed, and it’s here that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the island nation has established the world’s first sperm whale reserve.
“The 200 or so sperm whales that call our sea home are prized citizens of Dominica,” Mr. Skerrit said.
“Their ancestors likely inhabited Dominica before humans arrived. We want to ensure these majestic and highly intelligent animals are safe from harm and continue keeping our waters and our climate healthy.”
The marine reserve covers 800 square kilometers for those using metric, an area where commercial shipping and fishing will be forbidden from entering. Large ships can harm sperm whales, but smaller vessels, designated in the law as artisanal fishing, will be permitted inside the reserve provided their methods do not harm the whales.
Continued below.
Dominica to Create World’s First Sperm Whale Reserve–for the 200 That Call the Island Home
Sperm whales are the ocean's greatest nomads, but one island in the Caribbean is creating a permanent home for them.
www.goodnewsnetwork.org
