The Ministry of Environment opened on 15 January 2024 the whale-watching season for the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. For the occasion, Environment Minister Miguel Ceara Hatton announced the signing of an agreement between public and private entities for responsible whale-watching.
Every year around 1,500 whales come to Dominican waters to mate, care for their young and in the process present a spectacle of acrobatic jumps that can be observed on the boats authorized to follow the paths of the whales.
The World Wildlife Fund has named Samana Bay one of the best places in the world to watch whales. Whale-watching tours depart from Samana City.
Ceara Hatton acknowledged the activity promotes ecotourism and attracts thousands of Dominican and foreign tourists every year. He stressed the importance of sustainable whale-watching. “I believe that this is an opportunity and reflects the progress we have made as a country. We are trying to do things more organized, respectful of the environment and conservation,” said Ceara Hatton, referring to the conditions established by the agreement.
The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Tourism, the Dominican Armada, the Samana City Government, the Center for Conservation and Ecodevelopment of Samana Bay (Cebse), the Dominican Foundation of Maritime Studies (Fundemar), the Association of Boat Owners of the Bay of Samana (Asdubahisa) and the environmental advisory company, Environmental Counseling and Maritime Technology (Atemar).
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Ministry of Environment
16 January 2024