20 June
2006 - WWF applauds the announcement made by France
at the 58th annual session of the Whaling Commission
currently being held in St. Kitts and Nevis to
create a new sanctuary for the protection of whales
and dolphins in the West Indies. This will include
the Exclusive Economic Zone of Guadeloupe and
Martinique.
This initiative adds to sanctuaries
already existing in New Caledonia, Polynesia,
and in the Mediterranean. It further underscores
France's actions to conserve cetaceans.
This sanctuary will enable the
development of scientific research and reinforce
the protection of the numerous species present
in this zone including the Bryde's whale, Sei
whale, Humpback whale, Sperm whale and Pygmy,whales.
All are listed as endangered or vulnerable species
on IUCN’s Red List.
Since the creation of the PELAGOS
sanctuary in the Mediterranean, whale watching
has been closely supervised, new Natura 2000 zones
have been added and maritime services have been
involved. Research has led to increased knowledge
of cetaceans.
“Sanctuaries need proper human
and financial means for them to function,” says
Denis Ody of WWF France. “WWF strongly recommends
that France provides this new sanctuary with a
budget to meet the challenge, in accordance with
the new Natural Maritime Parks law.”
WWF calls on other countries
to extend this type of initiative and to create
sanctuaries in their exclusive economic zones.
The neighbouring countries of
the French West Indies, in particular, those whose
economies rely on tourism, would be provided with
a long term sustainable income by joining this
process, according to WWF.
