No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaCosta Rica's Golfo Dulce Tapped 1st Regional Whale Site

Costa Rica’s Golfo Dulce Tapped 1st Regional Whale Site

The pristine waters of Golfo Dulce on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast were just distinguished as Latin America’s first Whale Heritage Site by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA). This elite designation recognizes destinations worldwide where local communities protect and celebrate whales and dolphins.

Nestled between the Osa Peninsula and mainland Costa Rica, Golfo Dulce’s rich biodiversity houses two dolphin species — bottlenose and pantropical spotted. The gulf also provides a safe haven for humpback whales to birth and nurse their young.

In 2023, the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force tagged Golfo Dulce as an Important Marine Mammal Area based on its ecological significance. Costa Rica also legally deems its waters a whale and dolphin sanctuary.

The WCA praised Costa Rica’s conservation efforts, including Golfo Dulce’s Marine Area of Responsible Fishing protecting cetaceans from commercial fishing. Rigorous dolphin and whale watching regulations also govern tours.

Beyond legal measures, locals cherish these creatures through community events. The Golfito Public Library hosts presentations on whale songs and art workshops, among other educational programming.

“The WCA congratulates Golfo Dulce on its commitment to supporting cetaceans through sustainability, research and cultural events,” said the WCA upon granting the honor.

Golfo Dulce now joins an exclusive group of only eight certified Whale Heritage Sites across the globe. Other recipients include Canada’s Churchill River and Australia’s Hervey Bay.

Conservationists have applauded the designation as a boon for protected species. “This prestigious honor draws attention to the gulf’s fragile ecosystems requiring stewardship,” said marine biologist Maribel Obando.

Local leaders aim to continue earning the title through cetacean conservation and deepening community bonds.

“We strive to be global stewards, safeguarding whales and dolphins while sharing our pride and practices with visitors,” said gulf commissioner Sergio Venegas. “This is only the beginning.”

With its extraordinary natural bounty and progressiveness, Costa Rica sets an example in responsible eco-tourism. Golfo Dulce’s status as a Whale Heritage Site spotlights the nation’s emerging leadership in ethical approaches to marine mammal tourism.

Trending Now

Panama Union Files Lawsuits Against Chiquita Over Mass Layoffs

Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, will meet in Brazil with U.S. banana company Chiquita Brands in search of an agreement for the company to...

Guatemala Prisons Erupt in Violence With Guards and Workers Taken Hostage

Gang members rioted this Friday in two prisons in Guatemala and took several guards and civilian employees hostage, a week after uprisings in which...

Costa Rica National Parks to Measure Tourism Impact

Costa Rica will now be able to measure the impact of tourism in its national parks, thanks to innovative environmental technology from The NeverRest...

Costa Rica Marks National Parks Day with Free Entry This Sunday

As everyone knows by now, our country stands out for its strong focus on protecting the environment. It leads in conservation efforts, manages its...

El Salvador Schools Enforce Military-Style Uniform Inspections

El Salvador's public schools will start enforcing daily inspections for students' uniforms and haircuts from August 20, as ordered by the new education minister,...

Major Cocaine Seizure in Costa Rica’s South Highlights Ongoing Cartel Fight

Costa Rican police pulled off a big win against drug traffickers this Sunday, seizing over a ton of cocaine hidden in a tourism minibus...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica